System and method in an electronic spreadsheet for displaying and/or hiding range of cells

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a method, system and program for displaying and/or hiding, in an electronic multi-dimensional spreadsheet on a user interface, elements of a range of cells, a range of cells including one or more contiguous elements aligned along a given spreadsheet dimension, an element of a range of cells including one or more cells along one or more of the spreadsheet dimensions.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) of European Patent Application No. 02368031.7, filed Mar. 28, 2002.

In addition, this application is one of four related applications filed on an even date herewith and commonly assigned, the subject matters of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, including the following:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/299,741 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN AN ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET FOR DISPLAYING AND/OR HIDING RANGE OF CELLS”.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/299,274, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN AN ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET FOR COPYING AND PASTING DISPLAYED ELEMENTS OF A RANGE OF CELLS”; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/299,744, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN AN ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET FOR DISPLAYING AND/OR HIDING RANGE OF CELLS”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of information processing by digital computers, and more particularly to a method and system in an electronic multi-dimensional spreadsheet, for displaying and/or hiding elements of a range of cells, like rows, or columns, or sheets, according to display attributes of cells within the elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Before computers, numerical analyses, particularly financial ones, were usually prepared on an accountant's columnar pad or spreadsheet, with pencil and calculator in hand. By organising data into columns and rows, spreadsheets afford the rapid assimilation of information by a reader. The task of preparing a spreadsheet on paper, however, is not quite so fast. Instead, the process tends to be very slow, as each entry must be tediously calculated and entered into the spreadsheet. Manually prepared spreadsheets are also prone to errors. Hence, preparation of spreadsheets by hand is slow, tedious, and unreliable.

With the advent of microcomputers, a solution was forthcoming in the form of “electronic spreadsheets.” Better known simply as “spreadsheets,” these software programs provide a computerized replacement for the traditional financial modeling tools: the accountant's columnar pad, pencil, and calculator. In some regards, spreadsheet programs are to those tools what word processors are to typewriters. Spreadsheets offer dramatic improvements in ease of creating, editing, and using financial models.

A typical spreadsheet program configures the memory of a computer to resemble the column/row or grid format of an accountant's columnar pad, thus providing a visible calculator for a user. Because this “pad” exists dynamically in the computer's memory, however, it differs from paper pads in several important ways. Locations in the electronic spreadsheet, for example, must be communicated to the computer in a format which it can understand. A common scheme for accomplishing this is to assign a number to each row in a spreadsheet, and a letter to each column. To reference a location at column A and row 1 (i.e., the upper-left hand corner), for example, the user types in “A1”. In this manner, the spreadsheet defines an addressable storage location or “cell” at each intersection of a row with a column.

Data entry into an electronic spreadsheet occurs in much the same manner that information would be entered on an accountant's pad. After a screen cursor is positioned at a desired location, the user can enter alphanumeric information. Besides holding text and numeric information, however, spreadsheet cells can store special instructions or “formulas” specifying calculations to be performed on the numbers stored in spreadsheet cells. In this fashion, cell references can serve as variables in an equation, thereby allowing precise mathematical relationships to be defined between cells. The structure and operation-of a spreadsheet program, including advanced functions such as functions and macros, are documented in the technical, trade, and patent literature. For an overview, see e.g., Cobb, S., Using Quattro Pro 2, Borland-OsbomelMcGraw-MII, 1990; and LeBlond, G. and Cobb, D., Using 1-2-3, Que corp., 1985. The disclosures of each of the foregoing are hereby incorporated by reference.

Electronic spreadsheets offer many advantages over their paper counterparts. For one, electronic spreadsheets are much larger (i.e., hold more information) than their paper counterparts; electronic spreadsheets having thousands or even millions of cells are not uncommon. Spreadsheet programs also allow users to perform “what-if” scenarios. After a set of computational relationships has been entered into a worksheet, thanks to imbedded formulas and/or built-in functions for instance, the spread of information can be recalculated using different sets of assumptions, with the results of each recalculation appearing almost instantaneously. Performing this operation manually, with paper and pencil, would require recalculating every relationship in the model with each change made. Thus, electronic spreadsheet systems were invented to solve “what-if” problems, that is, changing an input and seeing what happens to, an output.

As explained above, one essential value of an electronic spreadsheet is to organize data into columns and rows, and to automate tedious calculations. A typical, common, and valuable example of data organized into columns and rows is a table or a range of cells. Ranges of cells therefore are quite useful objects. A range of cells or a table can be defined and processed as a whole entity. For example it can be copied from one place to another within a single spreadsheet file or from one spreadsheet file to another spreadsheet file.

It is a common operation in electronic spreadsheet environments, to create and manipulate quite large tables comprising a large numbers of rows and columns (or even sheets when such tables are organized according to a three dimensional structure). With conventional spreadsheet tools, the user interface displays a certain number of rows and columns. However large tables can easily occupy a space spanning beyond the limits of the user interface. As a result large tables cannot be easily entirely visualized. This can be detrimental from a user friendliness standpoint and for a matter of efficiency:

-   -   When different important pieces of information spread within a         given large table cannot be visualized at the same time, the         user may waste a lot of time switching between different views.         The user is often obliged to take notes before swapping between         these views.     -   When key information is spread over a large table comprising a         lot of intermediate information, the user may waste a lot of         time scanning the data to identify the relevant information.     -   When the user needs to summarize or synthesize key information         in a smaller table, he may waste a lot of time performing manual         copy-paste operation to obtain the expected synthesis.

Some conventional tools are available in electronic spreadsheet environments, to address this need, but unfortunately these tools present important limitations as detailed hereunder.

-   -   A first tool that can be used for visualizing a large table, is         the zoom function. The zoom function is similar to an optical         zoom in the sense that it applies a user-controlled scaling         factor to the display device. By adjusting the zooming ratio,         more elements of information (i.e. more rows or columns) can be         displayed. Unfortunately, this is achieved by reducing the size         (width and height) of the displayed elements. This operation can         be done until the elements become unreadable on the display         device. It is like attempting to display the whole map of the         city of New York while wishing to read the name of each street         or avenue. Moreover, within a huge amount of data, the user must         sort which data deserve the attention and must be discarded to         understand/address a given topic.     -   A second tool that can be used for visualizing a whole table is         the Outline function. The Outline function is based on         dominant-subordinate relationships (or summary-detail         relationships) between either rows or columns. The spreadsheet         user first specifies relationships between either rows and         columns, to associate a set of contiguous “subordinate” (or         “detail”) rows (respectively columns) with a contiguous         “dominant” (or “summary”) row (respectively column). Although         this kind of relationship may be easily defined in some         conventional situations (for instance twelve monthly records         associated with a yearly record), there are many cases where         relationships can not be established between contiguous rows.         The condition imposing that the “dominant” or (summary) row or         column is contiguous to its related “subordinate” (or detail)         rows or columns constitutes an important constraint with severe         consequences on the structure of the table. Once the above         relationships are established between different subsets of rows         and/or columns, the electronic spreadsheet user can:     -   either collapse a subset of “subordinate” (or detail) rows or         columns, so that only the associated “dominant” (or summary) row         or column is displayed, or     -   expand a “dominant” (or summary) row or column, so that the         associated hidden set of “subordinate” (or detail) rows or         columns is displayed again.     -   With the Outline function, the spreadsheet user can decide for         each subset of rows or columns participating to a given         relationship, to hide or display the “subordinate” rows or         columns. When multiple relationships of that kind are defined,         the hide/display operation can be done for each defined         relationship, or for all subsets at a given level. However, this         operation is time consuming for large tables. The Outline         function allows to nest different levels of relationship.         However, the definition and manipulation of different levels of         relationship is relatively complex. Furthermore, once an Outline         structure has been defined, it is quite complex to change the         Outline level of a given row because this operation requires the         suppression and the recreation of the Outline structure. Another         strong limitation of the Outline function comes from the fact         that it does not relate to a given table (or range of cells),         but to a worksheet within the spreadsheet. The Outline function         does not address the case where multiple tables, not necessarily         of the same nature, belong to the same worksheet.

The Outline approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,356 filed by Microsoft Corporation. The embodiment of the invention, as described in the present specification, provides a new method and system, in electronic spreadsheet environments, for hiding and showing on a display device, cells of a worksheet.

The embodiment of the invention offers a user-friendly solution to the same requirements, while getting rid of the limitations previously identified. The present invention is based on a new feature, referred to as the Synthetic Focus Manager (SFM for short) which allows to easily define and control the display or hiding to the spreadsheet user, of elements (rows/columns/sheets) of a range of cells or table. The invention is based on the following principles:

-   -   Each object defined and manipulated by the SFM, is associated         with a given range of cells, so that two or more different         ranges of cells (or tables), even if they belong to the same         worksheet, can be managed independently.     -   The SFM defines, under the control of the spreadsheet user, for         each managed range of cells, a set of focus levels arranged as a         list of ordered levels, so that a “display hierarchy” can be         defined and customized by the spreadsheet user.     -   The SFM associates with each element (row/column/sheet) of a         managed range of cells, a defined focus level. This association         can be explicit (“position based levels” in the description of         the embodiment) or can be implicit, depending either on cell         attributes (“attribute based levels” in the description of the         embodiment), or on cell content (“content based levels” in the         description of the embodiment).     -   In the first case, each element of a managed range of cells,         points to a given focus level.     -   In the second case, a focus level is associated either with a         set of display attributes (e.g. font type, or font color, or         background color, or border line, etc.), or with a cell content         criteria (e.g. a numerical value being larger than a predefined         threshold). Then each element (row/column/sheet) of a managed         range of cells is associated either with the focus level         matching the display attribute of the heading cell of the         element or with the focus level matching the content criteria of         the cell within the element with a predefined relative offset.     -   The SFM defines a current display focus level.     -   The SFM, upon a user action, hides all the range of cells         elements (rows/columns/sheets) having a focus level lower than         the current display focus level.     -   All the above functions are accessible through a set of         dedicated user interfaces that can be easily launched through         conventional means like pushbuttons, keyboard short keys, menu         or sub-menu entries.

In addition to the above function, the present invention offers the possibility to copy and paste the visible part of a range of cells managed by the SFM. In conventional spreadsheet environments, this operation cannot be done because any hidden row or column within a given range of cells is still treated like a visible element by the copy-and-paste method. With the “Copy visible part” function, only a Copy/Paste by Value is performed. According to the present invention, the SFM is aware of the display focus level that is currently selected. Therefore, the SFM can determine the elements that the spreadsheet user wishes to copy-and-paste onto a given destination range of cells. Specific attention is given to the way the paste operation is performed to keep as much information as possible, including formula defined relationships, while avoiding building a range of cells with unresolved references.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method, system and program for displaying and/or hiding, in an electronic multi-dimensional spreadsheet on a user interface, elements of a range of cells, a range of cells comprising one or a plurality of contiguous elements aligned along a given spreadsheet dimension, an element of a range of cells comprising one or a plurality of cells along one or a plurality of spreadsheet dimensions.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in an electronic multidimensional spreadsheet comprising a plurality of cells identified by a cell address along each dimension, a method for displaying and/or hiding on a user interface, elements of a range of cells, the range of cells comprising one or a plurality of contiguous elements aligned along a given spreadsheet dimension, an element comprising one or a plurality of cells, the method comprises:(A) detecting a command for hiding at least one element in a selected range of cells, the command comprising means for identifying the selected range of cells and means for identifying a display focus level selected among a plurality of ordered display focus levels defined for the selected range of cells; (B) identifying the selected range of cells comprising the element; (C) identifying the selected display focus level; (D) identifying a table associated with the selected range of cells, the table associating each defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute; and (E) selectively displaying the element on the user interface based on the relationship of the selected display focus level with the display focus level associated with the element.

In one embodiment the (E) comprises: (E1) selecting a predefined cell in the element; (E2) identifying the cell attributes assigned to the selected predefined cell; (E3) identifying the display focus level associated with the identified cell attribute; (E4) associating the identified display focus level with the element; and (E5) comparing the display focus level associated with the element with the selected display focus level. In another embodiment, (E) further comprises either hiding the element on the user interface, if the associated display focus level is lower than the selected display focus level, or, displaying the element on the user interface, if the associated display focus level is at least equal to the selected display focus level.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a computer program product for use with a computer system capable of displaying an electronic multidimensional spreadsheet with a user interface, the computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having embodied therein program code comprising: (A) program code for detecting a command for hiding at least one element in a selected range of cells, the command comprising means for identifying the selected range of cells and means for identifying a display focus level selected among a plurality of ordered display focus levels defined for the selected range of cells; (B) program code for identifying the selected range of cells comprising the element; (C) program code for identifying the selected display focus level; (D) program code for identifying a table associated with the selected range of cells, the table associating each defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute; and (E) program code for selectively displaying the element on the user interface based on the relationship of the selected display focus level with the display focus level associated with the element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for use with a computer system capable of displaying an electronic multidimensional spreadsheet on a user interface comprises: (A) program logic for detecting a command for hiding at least one element in a selected range of cells, the command comprising means for identifying the selected range of cells and means for identifying a display focus level selected among a plurality of ordered display focus levels defined for the selected range of cells; (B) program logic for identifying the selected range of cells comprising the element; (C) program logic for identifying the selected display focus level; (D) program logic for identifying a table associated with the selected range of cells, the table associating each defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute; and (E) program logic for selectively displaying the element on the user interface based on the relationship of the selected display focus level with the display focus level associated with the element.

Further embodiments of the invention are provided in the appended dependent claims.

The foregoing, together with other objects, features, and advantages of this invention can be better appreciated with reference to the following specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a computer system in which the present invention may be embodied.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a software system including an operating system, an application software, and a user interface for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates the basic architecture and functionality of a graphical user interface in which the present invention may be embodied.

FIG. 2A shows a spreadsheet notebook interface according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows the toolbar component of the notebook interface shown in FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 2C and 2D show page identifiers for rapidly accessing and manipulating individual pages of the notebook interface shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for processing the “FocusMgr” command according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “CreateFMR” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “FocusHouseKeeping” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “BuildLevelList” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “FocusMgrDBShow” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “ApplyFocus” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “FocusCopy” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “RefreshFocusLevelList” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “GetCriteria” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “RefreshFocusLevelButton” routine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are a flow chart illustrating a method for executing the “FocusLevelSettingMgrDBShow” command according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates the structure of the Focus Manager Table (FMT), of the Horizontal Level Range Table (HLRange), of the Vertical Level Range Table (VLRange), of the Horizontal Range Table (HRange), and of a Vertical Range Table (VRange), according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 show a spreadsheet user interface respectively for creating a focus managed range of cells, for selecting criteria elements within a focus managed range of cells of “content based levels” type, for managing focus managed range of cells, for managing focus levels, and for associating focus levels with focus managed range of cells elements according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, 19E, 19F and 19G illustrates the limitations of the Outline facility available in conventional spreadsheet environments

DETAILED DESCRIPTION System Hardware

As shown in FIG. 1A, the present invention may be embodied on a computer system 100 comprising a central processor 101, a main memory 102, an input/output controller 103, a keyboard 104, a pointing device 105 (e.g., mouse, track ball, pen device, or the like), a display device 106, and a mass storage 107 (e.g., hard disk). Additional input/output devices, such as a printing device 108, may be included in the system 100 as desired. As illustrated, the various components of the system 100 communicate through a system bus 110 or similar architecture. In an embodiment, the computer system 100 includes an IBM-compatible personal computer, which is available from several vendors (including International Business Machine—IBM Corporation of Armonk, N.Y.).

Illustrated in FIG. 1B, a computer software system 150 is provided for directing the operation of the computer system 100. Software system 150, which is stored in system memory 102 and on disk memory 107, includes a kernel or operating system 151 and a shell or interface 153. One or more application programs, such as application software 152, may be “loaded” (i.e., transferred from storage 107 into memory 102) for execution by the system 100. The system 100 receives user commands and data through user interface 153; these inputs may then be acted upon by the system 100 in accordance with instructions from operating module 151 and/or application module 152. The interface 153, which is preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), also serves to display results, whereupon the user may supply additional inputs or terminate the session. In an embodiment, operating system 151 and interface 153 are Microsoft Win95, available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. Application module 152, on the other hand, includes a spreadsheet notebook of the present invention as described in further detail herein below.

INTERFACE

A. Introduction

The following description will focus on the presently embodiments of the present invention, which are embodied in spreadsheet applications operative in the Microsoft Win95 environment. The present invention, however, is not limited to any particular application or any particular environment. Instead, those skilled in the art will find that the system and methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to a variety of system and application software, including database management systems, word processors, and the like. Moreover, the present invention may be embodied on a variety of different platforms, including Macintosh, UNIX, NextStep, and the like. Therefore, the description of the exemplary embodiments which follows is for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, the system 100 includes a windowing interface or workspace 160. Window 160 is a rectangular, graphical user interface (GUI) for display on screen 106; additional windowing elements may be displayed in various sizes and formats (e.g., tiled or cascaded), as desired. At the top of window 160 is a menu bar 170 with a plurality of user-command choices, each of which may invoke additional submenus and software tools for use with application objects. Window 160 includes a client area 180 for displaying and manipulating screen objects, such as graphic object 181 and text object 182. In essence, the client area is a workspace for the user to interact with data objects which reside within the computer system 100.

Windowing interface 160 includes a screen cursor or pointer 185 for selecting and otherwise invoking screen objects of interest. In response to user movement signals from the pointing device 105, the cursor 185 floats (i.e., freely moves) across the screen 106 to a desired screen location. During or after cursor movement, the user may generate user-event signals (e.g., mouse button “clicks” and “drags”) for selecting and manipulating objects, as is known in the art. For example, Window 160 may be closed, re-sized, or scrolled by “clicking” (selecting) screen components 172, 174/5, and 177/8, respectively.

In an embodiment, screen cursor 185 is controlled with a mouse device. Single-button, double-button, or triple-button mouse devices are available from a variety of vendors, including Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif., Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and Logitech Corporation of Fremont, Calif., respectively. More preferably, screen cursor control device 105 is a two-button mouse device, including both right and left “mouse buttons.”

Programming techniques and operations for mouse devices are well documented in the programming and hardware literature; see e.g., Microsoft Mouse Programmer's Reference, Microsoft Press, 1989. The general construction and operation of a GUI event-driven system, such as Windows, is also known in the art: see, e.g., Petzold, C., Programming Windows, Second Edition, Microsoft Press, 1990. The disclosures of each are hereby incorporated by reference.

B. Interface

Shown in FIG. 2A, a spreadsheet notebook interface of the present invention will now be described The spreadsheet notebook or workbook of the present invention includes a notebook workspace 200 for receiving, processing, and presenting information, including alphanumeric as well as graphic information. Notebook workspace 200 includes a menu bar 210, a toolbar 220, a current cell indicator 230, an input line 231, a status line 240, and a notebook window 250. The menu bar 210 displays and invokes, in response to user inputs, a main level of user commands. Menu 210 also invokes additional pull down menus, as is known in windowing applications. Input line 231 accepts user commands and information for the entry and editing of cell contents, which may include data, formulas, macros, and the like. Indicator 230 displays an address for the current cursor (i.e., active cell) position, or the address or name of a selected named range (i.e. active selection). At the status line 240, system 100 displays information about the current state of the workbook; for example, a “READY” indicator means that the system is ready for the user to select another task to be performed.

The toolbar 220, shown in further detail in FIG. 2B, comprises a row or palette of tools which provide a quick way for the user to choose commonly-used menu commands or properties. In an exemplary embodiment, toolbar 220 includes file manipulation buttons 221, printing buttons 222, an undo button 223, cut, copy, and paste buttons 224, information pop-up window buttons tool 225, a named range selection button 226, a style copy button 227, a column re-sizing button 228, and a sum button 229. The functions of these buttons are suggested by their names. For instance, buttons 224 cut, copy and paste data and objects to and from Windows' clipboard. The same actions are also available as corresponding commands in the Edit menu (available from menu bar 210).

The notebook, which provides an interface for entering and displaying information of interest, includes a plurality of spreadsheet pages. Each page may include conventional windowing features and operations, such as moving, re-sizing, and deleting. In an embodiment, the notebook includes 256 spreadsheet pages, all of which are saved as a single disk file on the mass storage 107. Workspace 200 may display one or more notebooks, each sized and positioned (e.g., tiled, overlapping, and the like) according to user-specified constraints.

Each spreadsheet page of a notebook includes a 2-D spread. Page A from the notebook 200, for example, includes a grid in row and column format, such as row 3 and column F. At each row/column intersection, a box or cell (e.g., cell C4) is provided for entering, processing, and displaying information in a conventional manner. Each cell is addressable, with a selector being provided for indicating a currently active one (i.e., the cell that is currently selected).

As shown in FIGS. 2C-D, individual notebook pages are identified by page identifiers 260, preferably located along one edge of a notebook. In an embodiment, each page identifier is in the form of a tab member (e.g., members 261 a, 262 a, 263 a) situated along a top edge of the notebook. Each tab member may include representative indicia, such as textual or graphic labels, including user selected titles representing the contents of a corresponding page. In FIG. 2C, the tab members 260 are set to their respective default names. For example, the first three tab members (members 261 a, 262 a, 263 a) are respectively set to A, B, and C. Tab members are typically given descriptive names provided by the user, however. As shown in FIG. 2D, for example, the first three tab members have now been set to “Contents” (tab member 261 b), “Summary” (tab member 262 b), and “Jan” (tab member 263 b). In a similar manner, the remaining tabs are set to subsequent months of the year. In this manner, the user associates the page identifiers with familiar tabs from an ordinary paper notebook. Thus, the user already knows how to select a page or spread of interest: simply select the tab corresponding to the page (as one would do when selecting a page from a paper notebook).

In addition to aiding in the selection of an appropriate page of information, the user-customizable page identifiers serve aid in the entry of spreadsheet named range addresses. For example, when entering a formula referring to a named range of cells on another page, the user may simply use the descriptive page name in the named range address, thus making it easier for the user to understand the relationship of the cell(s) or information being referenced.

A general description of the features and operation of the spreadsheet notebook interface may be found in Quattro Pro for Windows (Getting Started, User's Guide and Building Spreadsheet Applications), available from Borland International.

SYNTHETIC FOCUS MANAGEMENT

A. Introduction

The concept of Synthetic Focus Management

As explained above, one essential value of an electronic spreadsheet is to organize data into columns and rows, and to automate tedious calculations. A typical, common, and valuable example of data organized into columns and rows is a table or a range of cells. Ranges of cells therefore are quite useful objects. A range of cells or a table can be defined and processed as a whole entity. For example it can be copied from one place to another within a single spreadsheet file or from one spreadsheet file to another spreadsheet file.

It is a common operation in electronic spreadsheet environments, to create and manipulate quite large tables comprising a large numbers of rows and columns (or even sheets when such tables are organized according to a three dimensional structure). With conventional spreadsheet tools, the user interface displays a certain number of rows and columns. However, large tables can easily occupy a space spanning beyond the limits of the user interface. As a result, large tables cannot be easily entirely visualized. This can be detrimental from a user friendliness standpoint and for a matter of efficiency:

-   -   When different important pieces of information spread within a         given large table cannot be visualized at the same time, the         user may waste a lot of time switching between different views.         The user is often obliged to take notes before swapping between         these views.     -   When key information is spread over a large table comprising a         lot of intermediate information, the user may waste a lot of         time scanning the data to identify the relevant information.     -   When the user needs to summarize or synthesize key information         in a smaller table, he may waste a lot of time performing manual         copy-paste operation to obtain the expected synthesis.

Some conventional tools are available in electronic spreadsheet environments, to address this need, but unfortunately these tools present important limitations as detailed hereunder.

-   -   A first tool that can be used for visualizing a large table, is         the zoom function. The zoom function is similar to an optical         zoom in the sense that it applies a user-controlled scaling         factor to the display device. By adjusting the zooming ratio,         more elements of information (i.e. more rows or columns) can be         displayed. Unfortunately, this is achieved by reducing the size         (width and height) of the displayed elements. This operation can         be done until the elements become unreadable on the display         device. It is like attempting to display the whole map of the         city of New York while wishing to read the name of each street         or avenue. Moreover, within a huge amount of data, the user must         sort which data deserve the attention and must be discarded to         understand/address a given topic.     -   A second tool that can be used for visualizing a whole table is         the Outline function. The Outline function is based on         dominant-subordinate relationships (or summary-detail         relationships) between either rows or columns. The spreadsheet         user first specifies relationships between either rows and         columns, to associate a set of contiguous “subordinate” (or         “detail”) rows (respectively columns) with a contiguous         “dominant” (or “summary”) row (respectively column). Although         this kind of relationship may be easily defined in some         conventional situations (for instance twelve monthly records         associated with a yearly record), there are many cases where         relationships can not be established between contiguous rows.         The condition imposing that the “dominant” or (summary) row or         column is contiguous to its related “subordinate” (or detail)         rows or columns constitutes an important constraint with severe         consequences on the structure of the table.

The first two limitations of the Outline function are the following:

-   -   The first limitation is the necessity to build a table with a         structure defining contiguous “detail” and “summary” rows.     -   The second limitation comes from the fact that key functions are         disabled in the sections of the spreadsheet where Outlines are         defined.         Once the above relationships are established between different         subsets of rows and/or columns, the electronic spreadsheet user         has the possibility:     -   either to collapse a subset of “subordinate” (or detail) rows or         columns, so that only the associated “dominant” (or summary) row         or column is displayed, or     -   to expand a “dominant” (or summary) row or column, so that the         associated hidden set of “subordinate” (or detail) rows or         columns is displayed again.

With the Outline function, the spreadsheet user can decide for each subset of rows or columns participating to a given relationship, to hide or display the “subordinate” rows or columns. When multiple relationships of that kind are defined, the hide/display operation can be done for each defined relationship, or for all subsets at a given level. However, this operation is time consuming for large tables. The Outline function allows to nest different levels of relationship. However, the definition and manipulation of the different levels of relationship is relatively complex. Furthermore, once an Outline structure has been defined, it is quite complex to change the Outline level of a given row because this operation requires the suppression and the recreation of the Outline structure.

The next limitations of the Outline function are the following:

-   -   The third limitation comes from the complexity to change the         Outline level of a given row.     -   The fourth limitation comes from the fact it is impossible to         change the order of the hierarchy of the different Outline         levels. Changing this hierarchy, implies the suppression and         recreation of the Outline structure according to a different         hierarchy scheme.     -   Another strong limitation comes from the fact that the Outline         function does not relate to a given table (or range of cells),         but to a worksheet within the spreadsheet. The Outline function         does not address the case where multiple tables, not necessarily         of the same nature, belong to the same worksheet.     -   The fifth limitation comes from the fact that the Outline         function is related to a sheet and not to a specific table. It         is impossible, on a given sheet, to have two different tables         with overlapping lines and/or columns.

The limitations mentioned above will be further explained, using the specific example of a Sales Journal, as described hereunder and illustrated in FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, 19E, 19F and 19G. FIG. 19A shows the first few lines of the Sales Journal. The Sales Journal comprises 8 fields, “Date” 1901, “Item” 1902, “Unit Price” 1903, “Number” 1904, “Total” 1905, “Region” 1906, “Town” 1907 and “Type” 1908. Each sale is recorded on a line of the journal such as 1909. At the end of each week, a summary 1910 of the sales performed during the week is included in the journal, as illustrated in FIG. 19B. This summary comprises several lines with the sales by town 1911 and by region 1912, and a total 1913. At the end of each month, a summary 1914 of the sales performed during the month is included in the journal, as illustrated in FIG. 19C. The summary comprises several lines with the sales by town 1915 and by region 1916, and a total 1917.

In the example described above and illustrated in FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, and now referring to the first limitation, it appears clearly that it not possible to establish details-summary relationships between contiguous rows. For example, the weekly summary for the town “Lille” 1911 is not contiguous to the list of sales in “Lille” for the given week. Sales are entered in a sequential order (journal) wherever the sale is performed.

For instance also, it is not possible to define a details-summary relationship between the weekly summary 1910 and the monthly summary 1914. Although it seems logical that months are made of weeks, we all know that month limits seldom match full weeks limits and that months seldom comprise an integer number of weeks. Bypassing this limitation implies the definition of details-summary relationships where they do not exist. This forces the spreadsheet user to imagine and implement relationships against the logic of the table. This also pollutes the presentation and impacts the readability. In our example, the user can, for example, define a details-summary relationship between all the sales records (such as 1909) of a given week and the first record of the following weekly summary 1918. This is illustrated inn FIGS. 19D and 19E, on a shortened example of the journal table. FIG. 19D shows a piece of the journal table with an Outline defined and expanded. FIG. 19E shows the same piece of the journal table with the same Outline defined and, this time, collapsed. In the margin 1919, the Outline levels are displayed, using indented dots.

Another consequence of the same constraint (details-summary relationships must be defined between contiguous rows) is that some functions (such as the Sort function) are either disabled or cannot work as expected because the spreadsheet software tries to protect the integrity of the defined Outline (of the contiguous details-summary relationship that has been established). This is the second limitation of the Outline function. In our example, a sort operation is performed on the table, using column G 1907 as sort field. Because one or more Outline sections are defined, unexpected results are provided. For example, in the LOTUS 123 spreadsheet software, the sort operation sorts all table records and keeps an Outline defined on the same rows, as before. The grouping of the Outline, in this case, has lost all meaning. FIG. 19F shows the result of a descending sort operation on column G 1907, using the LOTUS 123 spreadsheet software. The resulting table, sorted according to expectations comprises an Outline, defined on the same rows as before the sort operation, and which has lost all meaning. A different example can be considered using the MicroSoft Excel software. The descending sort operation excludes the Outline details rows from the sort. The sort is only executed on the higher Outline level rows. In our example, the descending sort operation on column G 1907, and performed with MicroSoft Excel software, results in the table as illustrated on FIG. 19G. This behavior protects the Outline setting when a real details-summary relationship exists. Unpredictable results can however be obtained when the details-summary relationship does not exist logically but has been defined for the sole purpose of hiding/displaying rows and/or columns. This is the case in our example, where details rows have been moved in the middle of the summary section, for the sole purpose of protecting the details-summary relationship with the “Lens” weekly summary row. This does not make any sense when the relationship has been artificially defined for the sole purpose of hiding/displaying rows and/or columns. In this particular example, it also clearly appears that the details rows are not sorted. The different behaviors of two of the major spreadsheet softwares, show, just by themselves, the limitations of the Outline approach, which relies on the much too restrictive logic of the details-summary relationship.

The third and fourth limitations of the Outline function both come from the fact that a complete sheet structure is defined when the Outline function is used. Therefore, making changes to the Outline definition will, most of the time, result in changing the structure of the Outline, which will, in turn, often require the reset and rebuilding of the Outline structure. Making such changes to the structure often requires the definition of further details-summary relationships with the danger of creating artificial relationships only for display purposes. This is the case when the user wants to change the Outline level of one or several rows. In our example, and now referring to FIG. 19D, when the user wants to display, among the detailed sales rows, only the rows recording sales performed in “Lille”, he/she will have to group or demote line 1920, summarized by line 1921, and group or demote rows 1922 to 1923, summarized by row 1924. If the user now wants to display, among the detailed sales rows, only the rows recording sales performed in “Nantes”, he/she will have to group or demote row 1925, summarized by row 1920, and group or demote rows 1921 to 1924, summarized by row 1926. This shows that if the user wants to change the Outline structure, then he has to recreate another Outline structure. It is also interesting to note that just the change of the display priority order, in our example from “Lille” to “Nantes”, obliges the user to completely rebuild the Outline structure.

The need to easily change the hierarchy of the Outline structure becomes obvious when we consider in our example the following situation. A French sales manager is interested in the following display hierarchy:

-   -   first yearly total sales, and then     -   monthly total sales, and then     -   monthly sales by region, or     -   first yearly total sales, and then     -   yearly total sales by region, and then     -   yearly total sales by town, and then     -   monthly total sales by town.

The French sales manager may even be interested in having several hierarchies, hence the need to easily change the hierarchy structure. Each regional sales manager may be interested in a display hierarchy showing yearly total sales, and then yearly total sales by region, and then monthly total sales by region, and then monthly sales by town only in his own region. This shows again the need for different display hierarchies because different users may have different display needs.

The fifth limitation of the Outline function is that the Outline structure is related to the sheet rather than to a given table. This has two consequences:

-   -   the first one is that two different tables, partially sharing         the same row and/or columns, cannot have different Outline         structures;     -   the second one is that a table, when copied from one sheet to         another, will not keep its Outline structure.

Further limits of the Outline function come from the manual operations required to define the Outline structure, while tables often comprise structural information. This is illustrated on FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, where sales records such as 1909 are recorded on a white background while summary records such as 1911, 1912, 1913, 1915, 1916 or 1917 are entered on a grey background. This implicit structural information can be used to automate the building of a display hierarchy. Rather than attributes information, contents information can also be used to automate the building of a display hierarchy. This limitation will be referred to as the sixth limitation.

Finally, the selective focus placed on a given table to display only the most useful information can also be used to exchange information with other people that either do not need the whole information or are not allowed to access the whole information (e.g. for confidentiality reasons). To this extent, the need to copy only the displayed information appears. More specifically, the hidden information must not be copied like it currently is in most spreadsheet software applications. All formulas that can be resolved with the information actually copied must be kept, unlike the “copy visible” function of the MicroSoft Excel spreadsheet software. This last identified limitation of the Outline function will be referred to as the seventh limitation.

The embodiment of the invention offers a user-friendly solution to these requirements, while getting rid of the limitations previously identified. The solution is based on a new feature called Synthetic Focus Manager (SFM for short). This features is defined for displaying or hiding elements (rows/columns/sheets) of a range of cells (or table) on a user interface window. The invention is based on the following principles:

-   -   Every object defined and manipulated by the SFM is associated         with a given range of cells, so that two or more different         ranges of cells (or tables)—even belonging to the same         worksheet—can be managed independently. This approach eliminates         the fifth limitation identified in the previous paragraphs.     -   The SFM defines, under the control of the spreadsheet user, for         each managed range of cells, a set of focus levels. These focus         levels are arranged as a list of ordered levels, so that a         “display hierarchy” can be defined and customized by the         spreadsheet user. The capability to define and change the         display hierarchy eliminates the fourth limitation identified in         the previous paragraph.     -   The SFM associates a defined focus level with each element         (row/column/sheet) of a managed range of cells. This association         can be     -   explicit (referred to as “position based levels” type in the         rest of the document) or     -   implicit, depending either on cell attributes (referred to as         “attribute based levels” type in the rest of the document), or         on cell content (referred to as “content based levels” type in         the rest of the document).         -   The capability to associate focus levels with elements             eliminates the first and third limitation identified in the             previous paragraphs. The second limitation also disappears             with this approach since a focus level is now assigned to a             specific element (row/column/sheet). The capability to use             implicit focus level assignment eliminates the sixth             limitation of the Outline function.     -   In the first case, each element of a managed range of cells         points to a given focus level.     -   In the second case, a focus level is associated either with a         set of display attributes (e.g. font type, or font color, or         background color, or border line, etc.), or with a cell content         criteria (e.g. a numerical value being larger than a predefined         threshold). Then each element (row/column/sheet) of a managed         range of cells is associated either with the focus level         matching the display attribute of the heading cell of the         element or with the focus level matching the content criteria of         the cell within the element with a predefined relative, offset.     -   The SFM defines a current display focus level.     -   The SFM, upon a user trigger, hides all elements         (rows/columns/sheets) of the range of cells when the associated         focus level is less than the current display focus level.     -   All the above facilities are accessible through a set of         dedicated user interfaces that can be easily launched through         conventional means like pushbuttons, keyboard short keys, menu         or sub-menu entries.

In addition to the above facility, the proposed solution offers the possibility to copy and paste the visible part of a range of cells managed by the SFM. In conventional spreadsheet environments, this operation cannot be done because any hidden row or column within a given range of cells, is treated as a visible element by the copy-and-paste method. With the conventional “Copy visible part” function, only a Copy/Paste by value is performed. With the proposed solution, the SFM is aware of the currently selected display focus level and thus, can determine the elements that the spreadsheet user wishes to copy-and-paste onto a given destination range of cells. Specific attention is given to the way the paste operation is performed to keep as much information as possible, including formula defined relationships, while avoiding to build a range of cells with unresolved references. This new capability eliminates the seventh limitation identified in the previous paragraphs.

C. Tables used for Synthetic Focus Management

As introduced in the previous section, the embodiment of the present invention relies on different types of objects for managing the display of elements of a range of cells like rows, columns and sheets. These objects are recorded in different repositories, so that they can be accessed and updated by the different methods which are part of the embodiment of the present invention. Such repositories are referred to as tables:

-   -   the Focus Manager Table or FMT for short,     -   the Horizontal Level Range Table or HLRange for short,     -   the Vertical Level Range Table or VLRange for short,     -   the Horizontal Range Table or HRange for short,     -   the Vertical Range Table or VRange for short.

The FMT, HLRange, VLRange, HRange and VRange tables are saved as part of the spreadsheet disk file on the mass storage 107, so that they can themselves be considered as ranges of cells.

C1. FMT Table

Referring now to FIG. 13, the FMT Table 1301 corresponds to a logical simple structure comprising several records 1302, each of them corresponding to a focus managed range of cells, according to the present invention. Each record includes fourteen fields:

-   -   The “Range” 1303 field is used to record the name of the focus         managed range of cells described by the current record 1302.     -   The “HDisplay” 1304 field is used to record the current         Horizontal Display Level associated with the focus managed range         of cells described by the current record 1302.     -   The “VDisplay” 1305 field is used to record the current Vertical         Display Level associated with the focus managed range of cells         described by the current record 1302.     -   The “HNbr” 1306 field is used to record the current number of         horizontal levels defined for the focus managed range of cells         described by the current record 1302. It corresponds to the         number of rows of the HLRange table pointed by the “HLRange”         field 1308.     -   The “VNbr” 1307 field is used to record the current number of         vertical levels defined for the focus managed range of cells         described by the current record 1302.     -   It corresponds to the number of rows of the VLRange table         pointed by the “VLRange” field 1309.     -   The “HLRange” 1308 field is used to record the name of the range         of cells comprising the HLRange table associated with the focus         managed range of cells described by the current record 1302.     -   The “VLRange” 1309 field is used to record the name of the range         of cells comprising the VLRange table associated with the focus         managed range of cells described by the current record 1302.     -   The “HLNbr” 1310 field is used to record the current number of         horizontal level settings defined for the focus managed range of         cells described by the current record 1302. It corresponds to         the number of rows of the HRange table pointed by the “HRange”         field 1312.     -   The “VLNbr” 1311 field is used to record the current number of         vertical level settings defined for the focus managed range of         cells described by the current record 1302. It corresponds to         the number of rows of the VRange table pointed by the “VRange”         field 1313.     -   The “HRange” 1312 field is used to record the name of the range         of cells comprising the HRange table associated with the focus         managed range of cells described by the current record 1302.     -   The “VRange” 1313 field is used to record the name of the range         of cells comprising the VRange table associated with the focus         managed range of cells described by the current record 1302.     -   The “FocusType” 1314 field is used to record the current type of         the levels associated with the focus managed range of cells         described by the current record 1302. It can take the values         ADDRESS, ATTRIBUTE, and CONTENT, corresponding respectively to         the types “position based levels”, “attribute based levels”, and         “content based levels”.     -   The “HCriteria” 1315 field is used to record a pointer to the         header of the Horizontal Criteria column associated with the         focus managed range of cells described by the current record         1302. This column comprises the cells which content is used to         determine whether an horizontal element (a row) must be         displayed or hidden when the “content based levels” are used.     -   The “VCriteria” 1316 field is used to record a pointer to the         header of the Vertical Criteria row associated with the focus         managed range of cells described by the current record 1302.         This row comprises the cells which content is used to determine         if a vertical element (a column) must be displayed or hidden         when the “content based levels” are used.         C2. HLRange Table

Referring to FIG. 13, the HLRange Table 1320 corresponds to a logical simple structure comprising several records 1321, each of them corresponding to a horizontal level defined for a focus managed range of cells, according to the present invention. Each record includes two fields:

-   -   The “HLevel” 1322 field is used to record the name of the         horizontal level described by the current record 1321.     -   The “Max” 1323 field is used to record the maximum value taken         by the horizontal criteria, for the horizontal level described         by the current record 1321.         C3. VLRange Table

Referring to FIG. 13, the VLRange Table 1330 corresponds to a logical simple structure comprising several records 1331, each of them corresponding to a vertical level defined for a focus managed range of cells, according to the present invention. Each record includes two fields:

-   -   The “VLevel” 1332 field is used to record the name of the         vertical level described by the current record 1331.     -   The “Max” 1333 field is used to record the maximum value taken         by the vertical criteria, for the vertical level described by         the current record 1331.         C4. HRange Table

Referring to FIG. 13, the HRange Table 1340 corresponds to a logical simple structure comprising several records 1341, each of them corresponding to a horizontal level setting defined for a focus managed range of cells, according to the present invention. An horizontal level setting establishes an association between an horizontal element (a row identified by its header) and an horizontal level (identified by its name). Each record includes two fields:

-   -   The “HHeader” 1342 field is used to point the horizontal header         of a focus managed range of cells belonging to the horizontal         level setting described by the current record 1341.     -   The “HLevel” 1343 field is used to record the name of the         horizontal level belonging to the horizontal level setting         described by the current record 1341.         C5. VRange Table

Referring to FIG. 13, the VRange Table 1350 corresponds to a logical simple structure comprising several records 1351, each of them corresponding to a vertical level setting defined for a focus managed range of cells, according to the present invention. A vertical level setting establishes an association between a vertical element (a column identified by its header) and a vertical level (identified by its name). Each record includes two fields:

-   -   The “VHeader” 1352 field is used to point the vertical header of         a focus managed range of cells belonging to the vertical level         setting described by the current record 1351.     -   The “VLevel” 1353 field is used to record the name of the         vertical level belonging to the vertical level setting described         by the current record 1351.         D. Scenario

In contrast with just-described conventional tools, the embodiment of the present invention provides a more powerful, user-friendly and interactive approach for hiding and/or displaying elements of a range of cells, comprising for instance one or a plurality of rows, or columns, or sheets, when this range of cells is managed by a synthetic focus manager.

In an embodiment, the present invention is used according to a scenario comprising a plurality of operations

1. First Operation: Synthetic Focus Manager

The first operation occurs when the spreadsheet user decides, based on some criteria not detailed here, to use the Synthetic Focus Manager to control how to hide or display the elements of a range of cells, like rows, columns and sheets. In an embodiment of the present invention, this operation comprises the following three steps:

a. Range of Cells Selection

-   -   First the spreadsheet user selects the relevant range of cells         by using conventional means such as (but not limited to) the         pointing device 105 or the keyboard 104. Without loosing any         generality nor departing from the spirit of the present         invention, it is assumed that the selected range of cells         corresponds to a two dimensional (2D) structure comprised within         a unique sheet.

b. Synthetic Focus Manager Invocation

-   -   Second the spreadsheet user invokes an original specific command         called “SyntheticFocusMgr” thanks to conventional means         available in spreadsheet environment, such as but not limited to         the pointing device 105 or the keyboard 104. Then different         cases are considered, depending on the relative position of the         currently selected range of cells with respect to the various         ranges of cells which have already been managed by the Synthetic         Focus Manager, and which will be referred to as “Focus Managed         Ranges of Cells” or FMROC for short.         -   b.1 If the currently selected range of cells is disjoint             from any existing FMROC, then it becomes candidate for being             a new FMROC. In this case an additional test is performed to             check whether or not the currently selected range of cells             comprises at least two rows and two columns.         -   If it is not the case, then a warning message is displayed             on the display device 106 to the spreadsheet user through             conventional means such as pop-up windows, status bar             messages, or any other similar conventional means which can             be used instead without departing from the spirit of the             present invention. Once the spreadsheet user has             acknowledged this warning message, the SyntheticFocusMgr             command completes without turning the selected range of             cells into a FMROC.         -   If the selected range of cells comprises at least two rows             and two columns, then it can become a new FMROC so that a             specific user interface is displayed on the display device             106 to further prompt the spreadsheet user. This can be             illustrated with the user interface described with the FIG.             14, showing the Focus Manager Range Creator Dialog Box 1401,             as displayed on the display device 106. Within this Focus             Manger Range Creator Dialog Box 1401, the spreadsheet user             can click with the pointing device 105 on different             push-buttons.         -   If the spreadsheet user clicks on the “NO” push-button 1403             or on the closing-window push-button 1402, then the             SyntheticFocusMgr command completes without turning the             selected range of cells into a FMROC.         -   If the spreadsheet user clicks on one of the three             push-buttons “Yes, with position based levels” 1404, or             “Yes, with attribute based levels” 1405, or “Yes, with             content based levels” 1406, then the currently selected             range of cells becomes a new FMROC, with a Focus Type taking             respectively the values ADDRESS, or ATTRIBUTE, or CONTENT.         -   If Focus Type takes the value ADDRESS, then it means that             the display of each FMROC element (row or column) will be             based on a set of focus levels associated with each             individual element.         -   If Focus Type takes the value ATTRIBUTE, then it means that             the display of each FMROC element (row or column) will be             based on a set of focus levels associated with the             attributes (such as colour, font, size, etc.) of the element             header cell (left most cell of a row, or top cell of a             column).         -   If Focus Type takes the value CONTENT, then it means that             the display of each FMROC element (row or column) will be             based on a set of focus levels associated with the value             taken by the element cell belonging to a “Horizontal             Criteria” column (if the element is a row) or belonging to a             “Vertical Criteria” row (if the element is a column).             -   Then the Focus Manager Range Creator Dialog Box 1401 is                 closed on the display device 106, and a new test is                 performed to check whether the new FMROC is a named                 range of cells or not.         -   If it is not the case, then the spreadsheet user is prompted             to specify a valid name for the currently selected range of             cells just turned as a new FMROC. This can be done by             displaying on the display device 106 a pop-up entry field             window, or any other similar conventional means which can be             used instead without departing from the spirit of the             present invention.         -   Once the new FMROC is named, or if it was named before             invocation of the SyntheticFocusMgr command, then the             currently selected range of cells is recorded within             Synthetic Focus Manager internal working tables as a new             FMROC with default characteristics.             -   Then a test is performed to determine whether the new                 FMROC has a Focus Type equal to CONTENT or not.         -   If it is the case, then the spreadsheet user is prompted to             specify the “Horizontal Criteria” column and the “Vertical             Criteria” row.             -   This can be illustrated with the user interface                 described with the FIG. 15, showing the Focus Criteria                 Manager Dialog Box 1501, as displayed on the display                 device 106. When this Focus Criteria Manager Dialog Box                 1501 is displayed on the display device 106, the                 spreadsheet user must first select with the pointing                 device 105 the cell located at the intersection of the                 “Horizontal Criteria” column and of the “Vertical                 Criteria” row of his/her choice, and then must click                 with the pointing device 105 on the “OK” push-button                 1503 or on the closing-window push-button 1502 to close                 the Focus Criteria Manager Dialog Box 1501, so that the                 “Horizontal Criteria” column and the “Vertical Criteria”                 row get recorded in the Synthetic Focus Manager internal                 working tables. Once this is done, or if the Focus Type                 value was equal to ADDRESS or to ATTRIBUTE, then the                 main user interface of the Synthetic Focus Manager is                 displayed on the display device 106. This can be                 illustrated with the user interface described with the                 FIG. 16, showing the Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601, as                 displayed on the display device 106, which displays the                 default characteristics assigned to any new FMROC. Then                 the third step of this first operation starts as the                 spreadsheet user can manage the elements of the new                 FMROC to be either displayed or hidden.         -   b.2 If the currently selected range of cells partially             overlaps with an already existing FMROC, then a warning             message is displayed on the display device 106 to the             spreadsheet user through conventional means such as pop-up             windows, status bar messages, or any other similar             conventional means which can be used instead without             departing from the spirit of the present invention. Indeed             in an embodiment of the present invention, it is not             possible to define two different FMROC which partially             overlap, so that the spreadsheet user must be warned about             this situation. Once the spreadsheet user has acknowledged             this warning message, the SyntheticFocusMgr command             completes without turning the selected range of cells into a             FMROC.         -   b.3 If the currently selected range of cells is fully             included within an already existing FMROC, then the             Synthetic Focus Manager understands that the spreadsheet             user wishes to take advantage of the present invention for             this existing FMROC. Then the Synthetic Focus Manager             internal working tables are visited to retrieve the             characteristics of the identified FMROC, which are then             displayed on the display device 106 within the Focus Manager             Dialog Box 1601. Then the third step of this first operation             starts as the spreadsheet user can manage the elements of             the FMROC to display or hide.

c. Hiding/displaying Elements of a FMROC

-   -   Within the Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601, the user can visualise         different pieces of information related to the currently managed         FMROC.         -   First the name of the range of cells corresponding to the             currently managed FMROC is specified in the label box 1603.         -   Second the address of the range of cells corresponding to             the currently managed FMROC is specified in the label box             1604.         -   Third the list of horizontal focus levels is displayed in             the list box 1615, starting at the top with the default             highest priority horizontal focus level “always” (associated             with the rows which must be always displayed), and ending at             the bottom with the default lowest priority horizontal focus             level “Show All” (associated with the rows which are only             displayed when the whole FMROC is displayed). Any other user             defined horizontal focus level will appear between the             “always” and “Show All” focus levels according to its             relative priority. Within the list box 1615, the current             horizontal display level is identified as being the selected             entry in the list, as shown on FIG. 16 by the “country”             focus level 1614. When a new FMROC is created, the default             horizontal focus level list is constituted by the default             “always” and “Show All” focus levels, and the default             horizontal display level corresponds to the “always”             horizontal focus level.         -   Fourth the list of vertical focus levels is displayed in the             list box 1605, starting at the top with the default highest             priority vertical focus level “always” (associated with the             columns which must be always displayed), and ending at the             bottom with the default lowest priority vertical focus level             “Show All” (associated with the columns which are only             displayed when the whole FMROC is displayed). Any other user             defined vertical focus level will appear between the             “always” and “Show All” focus levels according to its             relative priority. Within the list box 1605, the current             vertical display level is identified as being the selected             entry in the list, as shown on FIG. 16 by the “month” focus             level 1606. When a new FMROC is created, the default             vertical focus level list is constituted by the default             “always” and “Show All” focus levels, and the default             vertical display level corresponds to the “always” vertical             focus level.         -   Fifth the Focus Type associated with the currently managed             FMROC is identified by the title of the Focus Manager Dialog             Box 1601, which is displayed at the top of this dialog box             1601. If the Focus Type takes respectively the values             ADDRESS, or ATTRIBUTE, or CONTENT, then the title of the             Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601 is respectively “Focus             Management based on POSITION”, or “Focus Management based on             ATTRIBUTE”, or “Focus Management based on CONTENT”.     -   Once the spreadsheet user has examined the different         characteristics of the currently managed FMROC displayed within         the Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601, he/she can take several         different actions according to his/her specific needs.         -   First the spreadsheet user can change the current horizontal             display level by selecting with the pointing device 105 an             horizontal focus level different from the one previously             selected as the horizontal display level. If it turns out             that the number of defined horizontal focus levels is large             enough not to entirely fit within the list box 1615, then             conventional means such as but not limited to a scrolling             bar can be used to navigate within the full set of             horizontal focus levels appearing in the list box 1615.         -   Second the spreadsheet user can change the current vertical             display level by selecting with the pointing device 105 a             vertical focus level different from the one previously             selected as the vertical display level. If it turns out that             the number of defined vertical focus levels is large enough             not to entirely fit within the list box 1605, then             conventional means such as but not limited to a scrolling             bar can be used to navigate within the full set of vertical             focus levels appearing in the list box 1605.         -   Third the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing             device 105 on the “Apply” push-button 1613. The resulting             effect will be either to hide or to display the elements of             the currently managed FMROC according to the horizontal and             vertical display levels. For instance, if these levels take             the respective values “country” and “month”, as illustrated             by the fields 1614 and 1606 in the list boxes 1615 and 1605             of the FIG. 16, then the rows which are associated with a             lower priority horizontal focus level (“Show All”) will be             hidden while the other rows associated with an higher or             equal priority horizontal focus level (“always”,             “continent”, “country”) will be displayed, and the columns             which are associated with a lower priority vertical focus             level (“Show All”) will be hidden while the other rows             associated with an higher or equal priority vertical focus             level (“always”, “quarter”, “month”) will be displayed. This             management of the FMROC elements, both rows and columns,             which are either displayed or hidden, relies on the             associated horizontal and vertical focus levels, and on             their relative position with respect to the horizontal and             vertical display levels, whether this horizontal and             vertical focus level association is based on ADDRESS,             ATTRIBUTE or CONTENT, as recorded by the Focus Type             parameter.         -   Fourth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing             device 105 on the “Reset Criteria” push-button 1611, if the             currently managed FMROC has a Focus Type parameter taking             the value CONTENT (for the other values ATTRIBUTE and             CONTENT, the “Reset Criteria” push-button 1611 is disabled,             so that clicking on it has no effect). The resulting effect             is to display on the display device 106 the Focus Criteria             Manager Dialog Box 1501, which allows the spreadsheet user,             as already described, to redefine the “Horizontal Criteria”             column and of the “Vertical Criteria” row. When done, the             Focus Criteria Manager Dialog Box 1501 is closed and control             is given back to the Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601 for             processing any other spreadsheet user action.         -   Fifth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing             device 105 on the “Update Levels” push-button 1610. The             resulting effect is to issue an original specific command             called “FocusLevelMgr” in order to launch the second             operation of the present scenario for updating the currently             defined focus levels associated with the currently managed             FMROC, as further described hereafter.         -   Sixth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing             device 105 on the “Update Settings” push-button 1607. The             resulting effect is to issue an original specific command             called “FocusSettingMgr” in order to launch the third             operation of the present scenario for updating the currently             defined associations between FMROC elements and FMROC focus             levels, as further described hereafter.         -   Seventh the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing             device 105 on the “Copy Visible Part on Clipboard”             push-button 1612. The resulting effect is to issue an             original specific command called “FocusCopyMgr” in order to             launch the fourth operation of the present scenario for             copying onto the clipboard the elements of the currently             managed FMROC which would be displayed on the display device             106 after a click on the “Apply” push-button 1613 with the             pointing device 105, as further described hereafter.         -   Eighth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing             device 105 on the “Disable Focus” push-button 1609. The             resulting effect is to turn the currently managed FMROC as a             ‘standard’ range of cells, by flushing out of the Synthetic             Focus Manager internal working tables all the information             related to this range of cells. As a consequence, the Focus             Manager Dialog Box 1601 is closed on the display device 106,             and the SyntheticFocusMgr command completes.         -   Ninth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing             device 105 on the “Quit” push-button 1608 or on the             closing-window push-button 1602 in order to complete the             execution of the SyntheticFocusMgr command by closing the             Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601.             2. Second Operation: Update of the Existing Focus Levels

The second operation occurs when the spreadsheet user decides, based on his or her own criteria not detailed here:

-   -   either to introduce a new focus level, or     -   to delete an existing focus level, or     -   to rename an existing focus level, or     -   to update the relative priorities of existing focus levels.         In an embodiment of the present invention, this operation         comprises the following steps:

Focus Level Manager

The spreadsheet user invokes thanks to conventional means available in spreadsheet environment, such as (but not limited to) dedicated push-buttons, keyboard entry short cuts, menu or sub-menu entries, an original specific command called “FocusLevelMgr” which manages through a dedicated user interface the definition of the focus levels associated with the currently managed FMROC.

This can be illustrated with the user interface described with the FIG. 17, showing the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701, as displayed on the display device 106. Within the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701, the user can visualise different pieces of information corresponding to the focus levels of the currently managed FMROC.

-   -   First the label box 1713 specifies whether the information         displayed in the list box 1712 corresponds either to horizontal         focus levels (the label box 1713 displaying “Horizontal Focus         Levels:”) or to vertical focus levels (the label box 1713         displaying “Vertical Focus Levels:”).     -   Second the list box 1712 displays the set of horizontal or         vertical focus levels (according to the content of the label box         1713), with     -   the highest priority focus level at the top of the list,     -   the lowest priority focus level at the bottom of the list, and     -   all the intermediary focus levels, if any, in the middle with         the same order as their relative priority.     -   Within the list box 1712, one of the focus levels is set as the         currently working focus level, and is recognized with a dark         background colour, as shown by the entry “region” 1711 on FIG.         17.     -   Third the label box 1704 specifies whether the currently working         focus level is referenced or not within the focus level setting         of a FMROC element. If it is the case, then the label box 1704         displays “Level is referenced”; otherwise the label box 1704         displays “Level is referenced”.     -   Once the spreadsheet user has examined the different pieces of         information displayed within the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box         1701, he/she can take several different actions according to         his/her specific needs.     -   First the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Horiz./Vert.” push-button 1715. The resulting effect         is to swap between the set of horizontal focus levels and the         set of vertical focus levels, so that the label box 1713         alternatively displays “Horizontal Focus Levels:” and “Vertical         Focus Levels:” and so that the list box 1712 alternatively         comprises the set of horizontal focus levels and the set of         vertical focus levels.     -   Second the spreadsheet user can change the currently working         focus level by selecting with the pointing device 105 a focus         level different from the one previously selected as the         currently working focus level. If it turns out that the number         of defined focus levels is large enough not to entirely fit         within the list box 1712, then conventional means such as but         not limited to a scrolling bar can be used to navigate within         the full set of focus levels appearing in the list box 1712.     -   If the currently working focus level is the focus level of         highest priority (“always”), then the push-buttons “Upgrade”         1714, “Downgrade” 1708, “Delete” 1710, “Rename” 1709, and         “Create New” 1707 are disabled so that clicking on them with the         pointing device 105 has no effect.     -   If the currently working focus level is the focus level of         lowest priority (“Show All”), then the push-buttons “Upgrade”         1714, “Downgrade” 1708, “Delete” 1710, and “Rename” 1709 are         disabled so that clicking on them with the pointing device 105         has no effect.     -   If the currently working focus level is the focus level of the         highest priority below the priority of the “always” focus level         (as it is the case with the focus level “continent on FIG. 17),         then the push-button “Upgrade” 1714 is disabled so that clicking         on it with the pointing device 105 has no effect.     -   If the currently working focus level is the focus level of the         lowest priority above the priority of the “Show All” focus level         (as it is the case with the focus level “country” on FIG. 17),         then the push-button “Downgrade” 1708 is disabled so that         clicking on it with the pointing device 105 has no effect.     -   If the text box 1705 is left empty or comprises a character         string equal to the name of an existing focus level, then the         “Rename” push-button 1709 is disabled so that clicking on it         with the pointing device 105 has no effect.     -   If the text box 1706 is left empty or comprises a character         string equal to the name of an existing focus level, then the         “Create New” push-button 1707 is disabled so that clicking on it         with the pointing device 105 has no effect.     -   Third the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Upgrade” push-button 1714, if enabled. The resulting         effect will be to move up by one priority position the currently         working focus level. In the case described by the FIG. 17, the         “region” focus level would be moved between, “continent” and         “always”.     -   Fourth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Downgrade” push-button 1708, if enabled. The         resulting effect will be to move down by one priority position         the currently working focus level. In the case described by the         FIG. 17, the “region” focus level would be moved between         “country” and “Show All”.     -   Fifth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Rename” push-button 1709, if enabled. The resulting         effect will be to rename the currently working focus level with         the name entered in the text box 1705. In the case described by         the FIG. 17, the “region” focus level would be renamed as         “othername”.     -   Sixth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Create New” push-button 1707, if enabled. The         resulting effect will be create a new focus level with a         priority just above the priority of the currently working focus         level, and with the name entered in the text box 1706. In the         case described by the FIG. 17, the “newname” focus level would         be created between the “region” and the “continent” focus         levels.     -   Seventh the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Delete” push-button 1710, if enabled. The resulting         effect will be to remove the currently working focus level from         the list of focus levels. In the case described by the FIG. 17,         the “region”,focus level would be deleted, so that the resulting         list of focus levels only comprises four focus levels “always”,         “continent”, “country”, and “Show All”.     -   Eighth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Done/Quit” push-button 1703 or on the closing-window         push-button 1702 in order to complete the execution of the         FocusLevelMgr command by closing the Focus Level Manager Dialog         Box 1701.         3. Third Operation: Update of the Focus Level Settings

The third operation occurs when the spreadsheet user decides, based on his or her own criteria not detailed here, to change the focus level associated with one element of the currently managed FMROC, either a row or a column. In an embodiment of the present invention, this operation comprises the following steps:

Focus Setting Manager

-   -   The spreadsheet user invokes thanks to conventional means         available in spreadsheet environment, such as (but not limited         to) dedicated push-buttons, keyboard entry short cuts, menu or         sub-menu entries, an original specific command called         “FocusSettingMgr” which manages through a dedicated user         interface the definition of the focus levels associated with the         elements of the currently managed FMROC.     -   This can be illustrated with the user interface described with         the FIG. 18, showing the Focus Setting Manager Dialog Box 1901,         as displayed on the display device 106. Within the Focus Setting         Manager Dialog Box 1901, the user can visualise different pieces         of information which correspond to the horizontal and vertical         focus level settings of each element of the currently managed         FMROC.         -   First the “Offset” label box 1816 specifies the relative             offset within the currently managed FMROC of a row element.             For instance the top row of the currently managed FMROC is             identified by an “Offset” label box 1816 taking a value             equal to 0 (zero). If the value taken by the “Offset” label             box 1816 is equal to 0 (zero), then the push-button “Up”             1811 is disabled. If the value taken by the “Offset” label             box 1816 is equal to the number of rows of the currently             managed FMROC, decremented by 1 (one), then the push-button             “Down” 1810 is disabled.         -   Second the “Contend” label box 1815 specifies the value             taken by the header cell of the row element which offset             within the currently managed FMROC is specified by the             “Offset” label box 1816.         -   Third the list box 1814 shows the different horizontal focus             levels defined for the currently managed FMROC.         -   Fourth the horizontal focus level currently associated with             the row element which offset within the currently managed             FMROC is identified by the “Offset” label box 1816, is             specified as being the selected entry in the list box 1814,             and is identified by a dark background colour, as it is the             case for instance in the FIG. 18 for the “country”             horizontal focus level 1813. Thus with the example shown on             FIG. 18, the horizontal focus level setting of the row with             offset 4 (1816), which header's value is “Italy” (1815), is             equal to “country” (1813).         -   Fifth the “Offset” label box 1803 specifies the relative             offset within the currently managed FMROC of a column             element. For instance the leftmost column of the currently             managed FMROC is identified by an “Offset” label box 1803             taking a value equal to 0 (zero).         -   If the value taken by the “Offset” label box 1803 is equal             to 0 (zero), then the push-button “Leff” 1809 is disabled.         -   If the value taken by the “Offset” label box 1803 is equal             to the number of columns of the currently managed FMROC,             decremented by 1 (one), then the push-button “Right” 1807 is             disabled.         -   Sixth the “Content” label box 1804 specifies the value taken             by the header cell of the column element which offset within             the currently managed FMROC is specified by the “Offset”             label box 1803.         -   Seventh the list box 1805 shows the different vertical focus             levels defined for the currently managed FMROC.         -   Eighth the vertical focus level currently associated with             the column element which offset within the currently managed             FMROC is identified by the “Offset” label box 1803, is             specified as being the selected entry in the list box 1805,             and is identified by a dark background colour, as it is the             case for instance in the FIG. 18 for the “month” vertical             focus level 1806. Thus with the example shown on FIG. 18,             the vertical focus level setting of the column with offset 2             (1803), which header's value is “feb.” (1804), is equal to             “month” (1806).

Once the spreadsheet user has examined the different pieces of information displayed within the Focus Setting Manager Dialog Box 1801, he/she can take several different actions according to his/her specific needs.

-   -   First the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Up” push-button 1811, if enabled. The resulting         effect will be to decrement by 1 (one) the “Offset” label box         1816, so that     -   the row element under study is replaced by the preceding one,     -   the information displayed in the “Content” label box 1815 is         updated accordingly, and     -   the horizontal focus level setting identified within the list         box 1814 as being the selected item 1813 with dark background         colour is also updated accordingly.     -   Second the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Down” push-button 1810, if enabled. The resulting         effect will be to increment by 1 (one) the “Offset” label box         1816, so that     -   the row element under study is replaced by the following one,     -   the information displayed in the “Content” label box 1815 is         updated accordingly, and     -   the horizontal focus level setting identified within the list         box 1814 as being the selected item 1813 with dark background         colour is also updated accordingly.     -   Third the spreadsheet user can change the horizontal focus level         setting by selecting with the pointing device 105 in the list         box 1814 an horizontal focus level different from the one         previously selected as the horizontal focus level setting. If it         turns out that the number of defined horizontal focus levels is         large enough not to entirely fit within the list box 1814, then         conventional means such as but not limited to a scrolling bar         can be used to navigate within the full set of horizontal focus         levels appearing in the list box 1814.     -   Fourth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Left” push-button 1809, if enabled. The resulting         effect will be to decrement by 1 (one) the “Offset” label box         1803, so that     -   the column element under study is replaced by the preceding one         (on the left),     -   the information displayed in the “Content” label box 1804 is         updated accordingly, and     -   the vertical focus level setting identified within the list box         1805 as being the selected item 1806 with dark background colour         is also updated accordingly.     -   Fifth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Right” push-button 1807, if enabled. The resulting         effect will be to increment by 1 (one) the “Offset” label box         1803, so that     -   the column element under study is replaced by the following one         (on the right),     -   the information displayed in the “Content” label box 1804 is         updated accordingly, and     -   the vertical focus level setting identified within the list box         1805 as being the selected item 1806 with dark background colour         is also updated accordingly.     -   Sixth the spreadsheet user can change the vertical focus level         setting by selecting with the pointing device 105 in the list         box 1805 a vertical focus level different from the one         previously selected as the vertical focus level setting. If it         turns out that the number of defined vertical focus levels is         large enough not to entirely fit within the list box 1805, then         conventional means such as but not limited to a scrolling bar         can be used to navigate within the full set of vertical focus         levels appearing in the list box 1805.     -   Seventh the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Focus Level Definition Manager push-button 1812. The         resulting effect will be to issue the FocusLevelMgr command, so         that the second operation of the present scenario be launched by         displaying the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701 to update the         definition of horizontal and vertical focus levels associated         with the currently managed FMROC.     -   Eighth the spreadsheet user can click with the pointing device         105 on the “Done/Quit” push-button 1808 or on the closing-window         push-button 1802 in order to complete the execution of the         FocusSettingMgr command by closing the Focus Setting Manager         Dialog Box 1801.         4. Fourth Operation: Copy to Clipboard the Visible Part of a         Range of Cells

The fourth operation occurs when the spreadsheet user decides, based on his or her own criteria not detailed here, to copy onto the clipboard the elements of the currently managed FMROC, which are displayed according to the focus level settings associated with this FMROC. In an embodiment of the present invention, this operation comprises the following steps:

Focus Copy Manager

The spreadsheet user invokes thanks to conventional means available in spreadsheet environment, such as (but not limited to) dedicated push-buttons, keyboard entry short cuts, menu or sub-menu entries, an original specific command called “FocusCopyMgr” which manages the copy onto the clipboard of the visible elements of the currently managed FMROC.

The horizontal row elements (respectively vertical column elements) which will be copied onto the clipboard are the ones which horizontal (respectively vertical) focus level setting is found greater than or equal to the horizontal (respectively vertical) display focus level. This means that some horizontal (respectively vertical) elements can be left out the copy operation, resulting potentially into unresolved references in the copied elements if they refer to elements not copied. This situation is common for instance when an element of a given focus level priority level corresponds to the sum or the average of elements of a lower focus level priority. To get rid of this unresolved reference situation, the Focus Copy Manager command operates according to the following steps:

-   -   First the currently managed FMROC is entirely copied by value on         a temporary working sheet. This results in a temporary range of         cells named SOURCERANGE which comprises as many rows and as many         columns as the currently managed FMROC, and which does not         comprises any reference to any cell (because the copy operation         has been performed by value).     -   Second the focus level definitions associated with the currently         managed FMROC are applied to the SOURCERANGE range of cells on         the temporary working sheet, so that the horizontal and vertical         elements of the SOURCERANGE range of cells are accordingly         either displayed or hidden.     -   Third the hidden elements (rows and columns) of the SOURCERANGE         range of cells, if any, are deleted from the temporary working         sheet.     -   Fourth the resulting updated range of cells SOURCERANGE is         copied onto the clipboard, completing the execution of the         FocusCopyMgr command.         E. Methods         E1. Synthetic Focus Manager Method

The method for managing FMROC used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 300 of FIG. 3. This method can be seen as the processing of the SyntheticFocusMgr command.

-   -   At step 301, the method is in its default state, waiting for an         event to initiate the process.     -   At step 302, the SyntheticFocusMgr command is detected, as a         result of a user action. This action can be for instance:     -   a specific combination of key on the keyboard 104, or     -   the click of the pointing device 105 on a specific button, or     -   any other similar means not further specified here.     -   At step 303, some local variables are initialized:     -   the local variable CurrSelect is set to the currently selected         range of cells,     -   the local variable FocusRangeNumber is set to the number of         already existing FMROC (the number of records 1302 within the         FMT table 1301),     -   The local variable CopyMode is set to the default value FALSE,         and then the FMT table is recalculated to get rid of any         remaining formula not yet refreshed.     -   At step 304, the first record 1302 of the FMT table 1301 is         memorized under the local variable FMTRecord.     -   At step 305, the variable TempRange is set as the range of cells         which name is the one found in the field “Range” 1303 of the         record FMTRecord 1302.     -   At step 306, a comparison is performed between the range of         cells CurrSelect and the range of cells TempRange.     -   If the range of cells CurrSelect is included or equal to the         range of cells TempRange, then control is given to step 307.     -   If the range of cells CurrSelect is overlapping partially but         not entirely the range of cells TempRange, then control is given         to step 312.     -   If the ranges of cells CurrSelect and TempRange are disjoint,         then control is given to step 313.     -   At step 307, the local variable HOffset is initialized with the         relative horizontal offset of the CurrSelect range of cells         within the TempRange range of cells, and the local variable         VOffset is initialized with the relative vertical offset of the         CurrSelect range of cells within the TempRange range of cells.     -   At step 308, the command FocusHouseKeeping is issued so that the         corresponding Focus House Keeping method be launched. When this         FocusHouseKeeping command returns control to the         SyntheticFocusMgr command, control is given to step 309.     -   At step 309, the command BuildLevelList is issued to launch the         corresponding method building the focus level lists. When this         BuildLevelList command returns control to the SyntheticFocusMgr         command, control is given to step 310.     -   At step 310, the command FocusMgrDBShow is issued to launch the         corresponding method displaying the Focus Manager Dialog Box         1601. When this FocusMgrDBShow command returns control to the         SyntheticFocusMgr command, control is given to step 311.     -   At step 311, the range of cells CurrSelect is selected and then         control is given to the initial step 301 for handling any future         SyntheticFocusMgr command.     -   At step 312, a warning message notification is issued to inform         the user that the current selection is partially overlapping an         existing FMROC, so that none existing FMROC could be identified         and so that none new FMROC could be created. This can typically         be done by displaying on the display device 106 a warning         message in a pop-up window, or in a status bar area, but any         other similar means could be used instead, without departing         from the spirit of the invention. Once the user has acknowledged         this notification message through conventional means such as         clicking with the pointing device 105 on an “OK” push-button         present within a warning message pop-up window, or any other         similar means without departing from the spirit of the         invention, control is given to step 311.     -   At step 313, a test is perform to check whether the local         variable FMTRecord corresponds to the last record 1302 of the         FMT table 1301 or not. If it is the case, then control is given         to step 315; otherwise control is given to step 314.     -   At step 314, the local variable FMTRecord is updated to point to         the record 1302 following in the FMT table 1301 the previous         record recorded in the local variable FMTRecord. Then control is         given to the step 305.     -   At step 315, a test is performed to check whether or not the         range of cells CurrSelect comprises at least two rows and at         least two columns. If it is the case, then control is given to         step 317; otherwise control is given to step 316.     -   At step 316, a warning message notification is issued to inform         the user that the current selection does not comprise enough         elements to be turned into a FMROC. This can typically be done         by displaying on the display device 106 a warning message in a         pop-up window, or in a status bar area, but any other similar         means could be used instead, without departing from the spirit         of the invention. Once the user has acknowledged this         notification message through conventional means such as clicking         with the pointing device 105 on an “OK” push-button present         within a warning message pop-up window, or any other similar         means without departing from the spirit of the invention,         control is given to step 311.     -   At step 317, the Focus Manager Range Creator Dialog Box 1401 is         displayed on the display device 106.     -   At step 318, the method is in a wait state, waiting for a user         action on the Focus Manager Range Creator Dialog Box 1401. Such         user action typically results of a click with the pointing         device 105, but can take other similar forms such as, but not         limited to a specific combination of key on the keyboard 104, or         any other similar means not further specified here.     -   At step 319, an event is detected, as a result of a user action.     -   If the user action is a click on the “NO” push-button 1403, then         control is given to step 320.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Yes, with position based         levels” push-button 1404, then control is given to step 321.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Yes, with attribute based         levels” push-button 1405, then control is given to step 322.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Yes, with content based         levels” push-button 1406, then control is given to step 323.     -   At step 320, the Focus Manager Range Creator Dialog Box 1401 is         closed on the display device 106, and then control is given to         step 311.     -   At step 321, the local variable FocusType is initialized with         the value ADDRESS, and then control is given to step 324.     -   At step 322, the local variable FocusType is initialized with         the value ATTRIBUTE, and then control is given to step 324.     -   At step 323, the local variable FocusType is initialized with         the value CONTENT, and then control is given to step 324.     -   At step 324, the Focus Manager Range Creator Dialog Box 1401 is         closed on the display device 106.     -   At step 325, the command CreateFMR is issued to launch the         corresponding method for creating a new FMROC. When this         CreateFMR command returns control to the SyntheticFocusMgr         command, control is given to step 311.         E2. Create FMROC Method

The method for creating a FMROC used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 400 of FIG. 4. This method can be seen as the processing of the CreateFMR command.

-   -   At step 401, a test is performed to check whether the range of         cells CurrSelect is already named or not. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 407; otherwise control is given to         step 402.     -   At step 402, the user is prompted to specify a valid name for         the range of cells CurrSelect. This can typically be done by         displaying on the display device 106 a prompting message in a         pop-up window comprising a text entry field, but any other         similar means can be used instead, without departing from the         spirit of the invention. Once the user has specified a name for         the range of cells CurrSelect through conventional means such as         typing with the keyboard 104 a name in the text entry field of a         pop-up window, or any other similar means without departing from         the spirit of the invention, control is given to step 403.     -   At step 403, the method detects that the user has specified a         range name for the CurrSelect range of cells.     -   At step 404, a test is performed to check whether the user         specified range name for the CurrSelect range of cells is valid         or not. The validity criteria are the ones conventionally used         in electronic spreadsheet environments. If the specified name is         found as valid, then control is given to step 406; otherwise         control is given to step 405.     -   At step 405, a warning message notification is issued to inform         the user that the specified range name is invalid. This can         typically be done by displaying on the display device 106 a         warning message in a pop-up window, or in a status bar area, but         any other similar means could be used instead, without departing         from the spirit of the invention. Once the user has acknowledged         this notification message through conventional means such as         clicking with the pointing device 105 on an “OK” push-button         present within a warning message pop-up window, or any other         similar means without departing from the spirit of the         invention, control is given to step 402.     -   At step 406, the range of cells identified by the local variable         CurrSelect is named with the name provided by the user at step         403.     -   At step 407, the method allocates internal resources (names and         memory) for building the focus manager internal working tables         and records that will be used to manage the FMROC. This includes         for instance the memory space needed to build and name the         tables HLRange 1320, VLRange 1330, HRange 1340, VRange 1350, and         the memory space needed to build a new record 1302 within the         FMT table 1301. If this resource allocation fails due for         instance to a shortage of memory, then control is given to step         408; otherwise control is given to step 409.     -   At step 408, a warning message notification is issued to inform         the user that the FMROC creation operation has failed due to         lack of required system resources. This can typically be done by         displaying on the display device 106 a warning message in a         pop-up window, or in a status bar area, but any other similar         means could be used instead, without departing from the spirit         of the invention. This step completes the execution of the         CreateFMR command as control is returned back to the calling         method having issued the CreateFMR command.     -   At step 409, the addresses of the default headers of the FMROC         being created are determined. They are recorded in three local         variables: the local variable TopLeft comprises the address of         the cell located within the range of cells CurrSelect at the         intersection of the top row and of the left most column; the         local variable TopRight comprises the address of the cell         located within the range of cells CurrSelect at the intersection         of the top row and of the right most column; and the local         variable BottomLeft comprises the address of the cell located         within the range of cells CurrSelect at the intersection of the         bottom row and of the left most column.     -   At step 410, a new record 1302 is created in the FMT table 1301.     -   At step 411, the new record 1302 is named as FMTRecord.     -   At step 412, some local variables are initialized, as well as         the fields in the new record FMTRecord 1302:     -   The local variable FocusRange is initialized with the name of         the range of cells CurrSelect, and then the “Range” field 1303         of the FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the local         variable FocusRange.     -   The local variable HDisplay is initialized with the default         value “always”, and then the “HDisplay” field 1304 of the         FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the local variable         HDisplay.     -   The local variable VDisplay is initialized with the default         value “always”, and then the “VDisplay” field 1305 of the         FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the local variable         VDisplay.     -   The local variable HNbr is initialized with the default content         “@rows(@@(HLRange))”, that is the number of rows in the HLRange         table 1320, and then the “HNbr” field 1306 of the FMTRecord 1302         is filled with the value of the local variable HNbr.     -   The local variable VNbr is initialized with the default content         “@rows(@@(VLRange))”, that is the number of rows in the VLRange         table 1330, and then the “VNbr” field 1307 of the FMTRecord 1302         is filled with the value of the local variable VNbr.     -   The local variable HLRange is initialized with the name         allocated at step 407 for the HLRange table 1320, and then the         “HLRange” field 1308 of the FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the         value of the local variable HLRange.     -   The local variable VLRange is initialized with the name         allocated at step 407 for the VLRange table 1330, and then the         “VLRange” field 1309 of the FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the         value of the local variable VLRange.     -   The local variable HLevelNbr is initialized with the default         content “@rows(@@(HRange))”, that is the number of rows in the         HRange table 1340, and then the “HLNbr” field 1310 of the         FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the local variable         HLevelNbr.     -   The local variable VLevelNbr is initialized with the default         content “@rows(@@(VRange))”, that is the number of rows in the         VRange table 1350, and then the “VLNbr” field 1311 of the         FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the local variable         VLevelNbr.     -   The local variable HRange is initialized with the name allocated         at step 407 for the HRange table 1340, and then the “HRange”         field 1312 of the FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the         local variable HRange.     -   The local variable VRange is initialized with the name allocated         at step 407 for the VRange table 1350, and then the “VRange”         field 1313 of the FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the         local variable VRange.     -   The “FocusType” field 1314 of the FMTRecord 1302 is filled with         the value of the local variable FocusType.     -   The local variable HCriteriaAddress is initialized with the         default value “N/A”; and then the “HCriteria” field 1315 of the         FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the local variable         HCriteriaAddress.     -   The local variable VCriteriaAddress is initialized with the         default value “N/A”; and then the “VCriteria” field 1316 of the         FMTRecord 1302 is filled with the value of the local variable         VCriteriaAddress.     -   At step 413, a test is performed to determine the value of the         local variable FocusType. If found equal to CONTENT, then         control is given to step 414; otherwise control is given to step         415.     -   At step 414, the command GetCriteria is issued to launch the         corresponding method for retrieving the “Horizontal Criteria”         column and “Vertical Criteria” row. When this GetCriteria         command returns control to the CreateFMR command, control is         given to step 415.     -   At step 415, the new four focus manager internal working tables         HLRange 1320, VLRange 1330, HRange 1340, and VRange 1350 are         created as being conventional ranges of cells in an hidden sheet         of the active spreadsheet file, so that they get recorded when         the active spreadsheet will be filed on the system mass storage         107. These four working ranges of cells comprise each two rows         and two columns.     -   At step 416, the four ranges of cells created at the previous         steps are named with the names allocated at step 407, and         recorded in the local variables HLRange, VLRange, HRange and         VRange.     -   At step 417, the four ranges of cells created at step 415 are         initialized as follows:     -   The top left cell of the HLRange working range of cells 1320 is         filled with the focus level “always”.     -   The bottom left cell of the HLRange working range of cells 1320         is filled with the focus level “Show All”.     -   The top right cell of the HLRange working range of cells 1320 is         left void.     -   The bottom right cell of the HLRange working range of cells 1320         is left void.     -   The top left cell of the VLRange working range of cells 1330 is         filled with the focus level “always”.     -   The bottom left cell of the VLRange working range of cells 1330         is filled with the focus level “Show All”.     -   The top right cell of the VLRange working range of cells 1330 is         left void.     -   The bottom right cell of the VLRange working range of cells 1330         is left void.     -   The top left cell of the HRange working range of cells 1340 is         filled with the value of the local variable TopLeft.     -   The bottom left cell of the HRange working range of cells 1340         is filled with the value of the local variable BottomLeft.     -   The top right cell of the HRange working range of cells 1340 is         filled with the focus level “always”.     -   The bottom right cell of the HRange working range of cells 1340         is filled with the focus level “always”.     -   The top left cell of the VRange working range of cells 1350 is         filled with the value of the local variable TopLeft.     -   The bottom left cell of the VRange working range of cells 1350         is filled with the value of the local variable TopRight.     -   The top right cell of the VRange working range of cells 1350 is         filled with the focus level “always”.     -   The bottom right cell of the VRange working range of cells 1350         is filled with the focus level “always”.     -   At step 418, the FMT table 1301 is recalculated so that the         formulas it comprises get resolved (for instance for the fields         “HNbr” 1306, “VNbr” 1307, “HLNbr” 1310, and “VLNbr” 1311 of the         FMTRecord 1302).     -   At step 419, the command BuildLevelList is issued to launch the         corresponding method for building the focus level list. When         this BuildLevelList command returns control to the CreateFMR         command, control is given to step 420.     -   At step 420, the command FocusHouseKeeping is issued to launch         the corresponding method for house keeping the focus manager         internal working tables. When this FocusHouseKeeping command         returns control to the CreateFMR command, control is given to         step 421.     -   At step 421, the command FocusMgrDBShow is issued to launch the         corresponding method for displaying the Focus Manager Dialog Box         1601. When this FocusMgrDBShow command returns control to the         CreateFMR command, the execution of the CreateFMR command is         completed as control is returned back to the calling method         having issued the CreateFMR command.         E3. Focus House Keeping Method

The method for house keeping the focus level manager internal working tables used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowcharts 500 (1/2) of FIGS. 5A and 500 (2/2) of FIG. 5B. This method can be seen as the processing of the FocusHouseKeeping command.

-   -   At step 501, the FMT table 1301 is recalculated to get rid of         any remaining formula not refreshed. Then each record 1302 of         the FMT table 1301 is deleted if and only if it comprises a         field with an “ERR” value. Then the local variable CurrFMTRecord         is set as being the first record 1301 of the FMT table 1302.     -   At step 502, a test is performed to check whether or not the         “Range” field 1303 of the CurrFMTRecord record 1302 comprises         the name of an existing range of cells. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 503; otherwise control is given to step         504.     -   At step 503, a test is performed to check whether or not the         range of cells which name is comprised in the “Range” field 1303         of the CurrFMTRecord record 1302, comprises at least 2 rows and         2 columns. If it is the case, then control is given to step 505;         otherwise control is given to step 504.     -   At step 504, the four focus manager working tables HLRange 1320,         VLRange 1330, HRange 1340 and VRange 1350 which respective names         are comprised in the “HLRange” field 1308, “VLRange” field 1309,         “HRange” field 1312 and “VRange” field 1313 of the CurrFMTRecord         record 1302, are deleted. Then the CurrFMTRecord record 1302 is         removed from the FMT table 1301. Then the local variable         CurrFMTRecord becomes the next record 1302 of the FMT table         1301, if it exists, or the previous one otherwise.     -   At step 505, a test is performed to check whether the         CurrFMTRecord record 1302 is the last record 1302 of the FMT         table 1301 or not. If it is the case, then control is given to         step 507; otherwise control is given to step 506.     -   At step 506, the local variable CurrFMTRecord becomes the next         record 1302 of the FMT table 1301. Then control is given to step         502.     -   At step 507, local variables are initialized from the content of         the fields of the record FMTRecord 1302:     -   The local variable FocusRange is initialized with the content of         the “Range” field 1303 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable HDisplay is initialized with the content of         the “HDisplay” field 1304 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable VDisplay is initialized with the content of         the “VDisplay” field 1305 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable HNbr is initialized with the value of the         “HNbr” field 1306 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable VNbr is initialized with the value of the         “VNbr” field 1307 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable HLRange is initialized with the content of         the “HLRange” field 1308 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable VLRange is initialized with the content of         the “VLRange” field 1309 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable HLevelNbr is initialized value of the “HLNbr”         field 1310 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable VLevelNbr is initialized with the value of         the “VLNbr” field 1311 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable HRange is initialized with the content of the         “HRange” field 1312 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable VRange is initialized with the content of the         “VRange” field 1313 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable FocusType is initialized with the content of         the “FocusType” field 1314 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable HCriteriaAddress is initialized with the         content of the “HCriteria” field 1315 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   The local variable VCriteriaAddress is initialized with the         content of the “VCriteria” field 1316 of the FMTRecord 1302.     -   At step 508, a test is performed to determine the value of the         FocusType local variable.     -   If the FocusType local variable is found equal to ADDRESS, then         the execution of the FocusHouseKeeping command completes as         control is returned back to the calling method having issued the         FocusHouseKeeping command.     -   If the FocusType local variable is found equal to ATTRIBUTE,         then control is given to step 509. If the FocusType local         variable is found equal to CONTENT, then control is given to         step 522.     -   At step 509, the local variable Range1 is set to the range of         cells which name is equal to the value of the local variable         HRange and the local variable Range2 is set to the range of         cells which name is equal to the value of the local variable         HLRange.     -   At step 510, the local variable Cell1 is set to the top left         cell of the range of cells Range1.     -   At step 511, the local variable Found is initialized to the         value FALSE, and the local variable Cell2 is set to the top left         cell of the range of cells Range2.     -   At step 512, a test is performed to check whether the two cells         Cell1 and Cell2 have the same display attributes or not. In an         embodiment of the present invention, these display attributes         correspond to     -   the background colour,     -   the background pattern,     -   the font size,     -   the font name,     -   the font colour,     -   the font bold attribute,     -   the font underline attribute,     -   the font italic attribute,     -   the text horizontal alignment,     -   the text vertical alignment,     -   the text orientation,     -   the text rotation and     -   the text wrapped attribute,     -   but any other similar display attributes could be used instead         without departing from the spirit of the present invention. If         the two cells Cell1 and Cell2 share the same display attributes,         then control is given to step 513; otherwise control is given to         step 514.     -   At step 513, the local variable Found is set to the value TRUE.         Then the cell located immediately at the right of the cell Cell1         is filled with the content of the cell Cell2. Then control is         given to step 516.     -   At step 514, a test is performed to determine whether the cell         Cell2 is the bottom left cell of the Range2 range of cells or         not. If it is the case, then control is given to step 516;         otherwise control is given to step 515.     -   At step 515, the local variable Cell2 becomes the cell located         below the former position of Cell2.     -   At step 516, a test is performed to check whether the local         variable Found is equal to TRUE or not. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 518; otherwise control is given to step         517.     -   At step 517, the cell 1343 located immediately at the right of         the cell Cell1 is filled with the default content “always”.     -   At step 518, a test is performed to determine whether the cell         Cell1 is the bottom left cell of the Range1 range of cells or         not. If it is the case, then control is given to step 520;         otherwise control is given to step 519.     -   At step 519, the local variable Cell1 becomes the cell located         below the former position of Cell1.     -   At step 520, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable Range1 is set to the range of cells which name is         equal to the value of the local variable HRange. If it is the         case, then control is given to step 521; otherwise the execution         of the FocusHouseKeeping command completes as control is         returned back to the calling method having issued the         FocusHouseKeeping command.     -   At step 521, the local variable Range1 is set to the range of         cells which name is equal to the value of the local variable         VRange and the local variable Range2 is set to the range of         cells which name is equal to the value of the local variable         VLRange. Then control is given to step 510.     -   At step 522, the local variable HCriteriaOffset is set equal to         the column offset of the “Horizontal Criteria” column with         respect to the FocusRange FMROC, and the local variable         VCriteriaOffset is set equal to the row offset of the “Vertical         Criteria” row with respect to the FocusRange FMROC. Then the         local variable HVLRange is set equal to the local variable         HLRange, the local variable HVRange is set equal to the local         variable HRange, the local variable HVDir is set equal to         “Column”, the local variable HVCriteriaOffset is set equal to         the local variable HCriteriaOffset.     -   At step 523, the local variable found is initialized to the         value FALSE, the local variable CurrRec is set to the first         record of the range of cells HVLRange, and the local variable         WorkRec is set as the first top record of the range of cells         HVRange.     -   At step 524, a test is performed to determine whether or not the         right field of the CurrRec record is void. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 530 otherwise control is given to         step 525.     -   At step 525, a test is performed to determine whether or not the         local variable Found is equal to FALSE. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 526; otherwise control is given to step         527.     -   At step 526, the local variable Found is set equal to TRUE, and         the local variable LastValue is set equal to the value of the         right field of the CurrRec record. Then control is given to step         530.     -   At step 527, a test is performed to check whether or not the         value of the right field of the CurrRec record is greater than         the value of the local variable LastValue. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 528; otherwise control is given to         step 529.     -   At step 528, the right field of the CurrRec record is cleared         (content left as void).     -   At step 529, the local variable LastValue is set equal to the         value of the right field of the CurrRec record.     -   At step 530, a test is performed to check whether or not the         CurrRec record is the last record of the range of cells         HVLRange. If it is the case, then control is given to step 532;         otherwise control is given to step 531.     -   At step 531, the local variable CurrRec becomes the record         following the CurrRec record in the range of cells HVLRange.     -   At step 532, the local variable CurrValue is set equal to the         value of the cell which is located along the HVDir direction at         an offset equal to the value of the local variable         HVCriteriaOffset with respect to the cell which address is equal         to the left field of the WorkRec record. For instance when HVDir         is equal to “Column”, this cell is located at the intersection         of the “Horizontal Criteria” column and of the row comprising         the header cell which address is given by the “HHeader” field         1342 of the WorkRec record 1341. Then the right field of the         WorkRec record is set equal to “always” and the local variable         CurrRec is set to the first record of the range of cells         HVLRange.     -   At step 533, a test is performed to check whether or not the         right field of the CurrRec record is not void and has a value         greater than the value of the local variable CurrValue. If it is         the case, then control is given to step 534; otherwise control         is given to step 535.     -   At step 534, the right field of the WorkRec record is set equal         to the value of the left field of the CurrRec record.     -   At step 535, a test is performed to check whether or not the         CurrRec record is the last record of the range of cells         HVLRange. If it is the case, then control is given to step 537;         otherwise control is given to step 536.     -   At step 536, the local variable CurrRec becomes the record         following the CurrRec record in the range of cells HVLRange.         Then control is given to step 533.     -   At step 537, a test is performed to check whether or not WorkRec         record is the last record of the range of cells HVRange. If it         is the case, then control is given to step 539; otherwise         control is given to step 538.     -   At step 538, the local variable WorkRec becomes the record         following the WorkRec record in the range of cells HVRange. Then         control is given to step 532.     -   At step 539, a test is performed to check whether or not the         range of cells HVLRange is equal to the range of cells HLRange.         If it is the case, then control is given to step 540; otherwise         the execution of the FocusHouseKeeping command completes as         control is returned back to the calling method having issued the         FocusHouseKeeping command.     -   At step 540, the local variable HVLRange is set equal to the         local variable VLRange, the local variable HVRange is set equal         to the local variable VRange, the local variable HVDir is set         equal to “Row”, the local variable HVCriteriaOffset is set equal         to the local variable VCriteriaOffset. Then control is given to         step 523.         E4. Build Level List Method

The method for building the focus level lists associated with a FMROC used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 600 of FIG. 6. This method can be seen as the processing of the BuildLevelList command.

-   -   At step 601, the local lists HLevelList and VLevelList are         cleared.     -   At step 602, the local variable CurrCell is set as the top left         cell of the range of cells HLRange, and the local variable i is         initialized to the value 1 (one).     -   At step 603, the content of the local variable CurrCell is added         as an element of local list HLevelList taking the value i.     -   At step 604, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable i is equal to the value of the local variable         HNbr. If it is the case, then control is given to step 606;         otherwise control is given to step 605.     -   At step 605, the local variable i is incremented by 1 (one) and         the local variable CurrCell is set to the cell below the former         position of CurrCell. Then control is given to step 603.     -   At step 606, the local variable CurrCell is set as the top left         cell of the range of cells VLRange, and the local variable i is         initialized to the value 1 (one).     -   At step 607, the content of the local variable CurrCell is added         as an element of local list VLevelList taking the value i.     -   At step 608, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable i is equal to the value of the local variable         VNbr. If it is the case, then the execution of the         BuildLevelList command completes as control is returned back to         the calling method having issued the BuildLevelList command;         otherwise control is given to step 609.     -   At step 609, the local variable i is incremented by 1 (one) and         the local variable CurrCell is set to the cell below the former         position of CurrCell. Then control is given to step 607.         E5. Focus Manager Dialog Box Show Method

The method for handling the Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601 used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 700 of FIG. 7. This method can be seen as the processing of the FocusMgrDBShow command.

-   -   At step 701, the Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601 is displayed on         the display device 106.     -   At step 702, the local lists HDisplayList and VDisplayList         respectively appearing in the list boxes 1615 and 1605 of the         Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601 are cleared. Then the local list         HDisplayList is initialized with the values of the cells         belonging to the range of cells HLRange, so that the list box         1615 displays the horizontal focus levels recorded in the range         of cells HLRange. Then the local list VDisplayList is         initialized with the values of the cells belonging to the range         of cells VLRange, so that the list box 1605 displays the         vertical focus levels recorded in the range of cells VLRange.     -   At step 703, the entry of the local list HDisplayList which         value is equal to the value of the local variable HDisplay is         selected, so that the horizontal display focus level be selected         in the list box 1615. Then the entry of the local list         VDisplayList which value is equal to the value of the local         variable VDisplay is selected, so that the vertical display         focus level be selected in the list box 1605.     -   At step 704, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable FocusType is equal to CONTENT. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 706; otherwise control is given to         step 705.     -   At step 705, the “Reset Criteria” push-button 1611 is disabled         so that any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will         not be recognized as a valid event. Then control is given to         step 707.     -   At step 706, the “Reset Criteria” push-button 1611 is enabled so         that any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will be         recognized as a valid event     -   At step 707, the method is in a wait state, waiting for a user         action on the Focus Manager Dialog Box 1601. Such user action is         typically resulting from a click with the pointing device 105,         but can take other similar forms such as, but not limited to a         specific combination of key on the keyboard 104, or any other         similar means not further specified here.     -   At step 708, an event is detected, as a result of a user action.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Apply” push-button 1403,         then control is given to step 709.     -   If the user action is the selection of a new horizontal display         focus level in the list box 1615 or of a new vertical display         focus level in the list box 1605, then control is given to step         711.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Copy Visible art on         Clipboard” push-button 1612, then control is given to step 712.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Update levels” push-button         1610, then control is given to step 713.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Disable Focus” push-button         1609, then control is given to step 717.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Reset Criteria”         push-button 1611, then control is given to step 719.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Quit” push-button 1608, or         on the closing-window push-button 1602, then control is given to         step 713.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Update Settings”         push-button 1607, then control is given to step 716.     -   At step 709, the range of cells FocusRange is fully displayed,         so that it does not comprise any hidden elements, rows or         columns.     -   At step 710, the command ApplyFocus is issued to launch the         corresponding method for applying the defined focus levels on         the currently managed FMROC. When this ApplyFocus command         returns control to the FocusMgrDBShow command, control is given         to step 707.     -   At step 711, the selected entry within the list box 1615 or 1605         is highlighted, so that the spreadsheet user can easily         recognized that this is the currently selected entry in the list         box 1615 or 1605.     -   At step 712, the command FocusCopyMgr is issued to launch the         corresponding method for copying onto the clipboard the visible         part of the range of cells FocusRange. When this FocusCopyMgr         command returns control to the FocusMgrDBShow command, control         is given to step 715.     -   At step 713, the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701 is         displayed on the display device 106.     -   At step 714, the command RefreshFocusLevelList is issued to         launch that the corresponding method for refreshing the focus         level lists of the currently managed FMROC. When this         RefreshFocusLevelList command returns control to the         FocusMgrDBShow command, control is given to step 715.     -   At step 715, the command FocusLevelMgr is issued to launch the         corresponding method for managing the focus levels of the         currently managed FMROC. When this FocusLevelMgr command returns         control to the FocusMgrDBShow command, control is given to step         707.     -   At step 716, the command FocusSettingMgr is issued to launch the         corresponding method for managing the focus level settings         defined for the currently managed FMROC. When this         FocusSettingMgr command returns control to the FocusMgrDBShow         command, control is given to step 707.     -   At step 717, the four focus manager working tables HLRange 1320,         VLRange 1330, HRange 1340 and VRange 1350 which respective names         are comprised in the “HLRange” field 1308, “VLRange” field 1309,         “HRange” field 1312 and “VRange” field 1313 of the FMTRecord         record 1302, are deleted. Then the FMTRecord record 1302 is         removed from the FMT table 1301.     -   At step 718, the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701 is closed         on the display device 106. Then the execution of the         FocusMgrDBShow command completes as control is returned back to         the calling method having issued the FocusMgrDBShow command.     -   At step 719, the command GetCriteria is issued to launch the         corresponding method for retrieving the “Horizontal Criteria”         columns and the “Vertical Criteria” row. When this GetCriteria         command returns control to the FocusMgrDBShow command, control         is given to step 720.     -   At step 720, all the “Max” fields 1323 of the range of cells         HLRange are cleared (content set to void), and all the “Max”         fields 1333 of the range of cells VLRange are cleared (content         set to void). Then all the “HLevel” fields 1343 of the range of         cells HRange are set to “always”, and all the “VLevel” fields         1343 of the range of cells VRange are set to “always”. Then         control is given to step 707.         E6. Apply Focus Method

The method for applying on a FMROC the focus level settings in order to either display or hide FMROC elements used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 800 of FIG. 8. This method can be seen as the processing of the ApplyFocus command.

-   -   At step 801, some local variables are initialized:     -   the local variable HIndex is initialized as being the index of         the horizontal focus display level selected within the list box         1615 showing the horizontal focus levels.     -   the local variable VIndex is initialized as being the index of         the vertical focus display level selected within the list box         1605 showing the vertical focus levels.     -   the local variable HDisplay is initialized as being the name of         the horizontal focus display level selected within the list box         1615 showing the horizontal focus levels.     -   the local variable VDisplay is initialized as being the name of         the vertical focus display level selected within the list box         1605 showing the vertical focus levels.

Then the local variable HVLRange is set equal to the local variable HLRange, the local variable HVRange is set equal to the local variable HRange, the local variable HVDisplay is set equal to the local variable HDisplay, the local list HVLevel is set equal to the local list HLevelList, the local variable HVDir is set equal to “Row”, and the local variable HVCriteriaOffset is set equal to the local variable HCriteria Offset.

-   -   At step 802, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable CopyMode is equal to TRUE. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 803; otherwise control is given to         step 804.     -   At step 803, the local variable, WorkRange is set equal to the         range of cells named SOURCERANGE. Then control is given to step         805.     -   At step 804, the local variable WorkRange is set equal to the         range of cells, FocusRange.     -   At step 805, a test is performed to determine the value of the         local variable FocusType.     -   If the value of the local variable FocusType is equal to         ADDRESS, then control is given to step 806.     -   If the value of the local variable FocusType is equal to         ATTRIBUTE, then control is given to step 814. If the value of         the local variable FocusType is equal to CONTENT, then control         is given to step 826.     -   At step 806, the local variable CurrRec is set as the first         record of the range of cells HVRange.     -   At step 807, the local variable CurrLevel is set as the right         field of the record CurrRec, and the local variable CurrHeader         is set as the left field of the record CurrRec.     -   At step 808, a test is performed to check whether or not the         element CurrLevel of the local list HVLevel has a value greater         than the element HVDisplay of the local list HVLevel. If it is         the case, then control is given to step 809; otherwise control         is given to step 810.     -   At step 809, the method hides along the direction HVDir the         header cell which offset within the range of cells WorkRange is         equal to the offset within the range of cells FocusRange of the         cell which address is equal to the content of the local variable         CurrHeader.     -   At step 810, a test is performed to check whether or not the         record CurrRec is the last record of the range of cells HVRange.         If it is the case, then control is given to step 811; otherwise         control is given to step 812.     -   At step 811, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable HVRange is equal to the range of cells HRange. If         it is the case, then control is given to step 813; otherwise the         execution of the ApplyFocus command completes as control is         returned back to the calling method having issued the ApplyFocus         command.     -   At step 812, the local variable CurrRec becomes the record         following the previous position of the record CurrRec in the         range of cells HVRange.     -   At step 813, the local variable HVRange is set equal to the         local variable VRange, the local variable HVDisplay is set equal         to the local variable VDisplay, the local list HVLevel is set         equal to the local list VLevelList, the local variable HVDir is         set equal to “Column”. Then control is given to step 806.     -   At step 814, the local variable CurrHeader is set as the top         left header cell of the range of cells WorkRange.     -   At step 815, the local variable FoundLevel is initialized with         the value “always” and the local variable CurrRefHeader is set         as the top left cell of the range of cells HVLRange.     -   At step 816, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cells CurrHeader and CurrRefHeader share the same display         attributes. In an embodiment of the present invention, these         display attributes correspond to     -   the background colour,     -   the background pattern,     -   the font size, the font name,     -   the font colour,     -   the font bold attribute,     -   the font underline attribute,     -   the font italic attribute,     -   the text horizontal alignment,     -   the text vertical alignment,     -   the text orientation,     -   the text rotation and     -   the text wrapped attribute,         but any other similar display attributes could be used instead         without departing from the spirit of the present invention. If         it is the case, then control is given to step 817 otherwise         control is given to step 818.     -   At step 817, the local variable FoundLevel is set equal to the         content of the cell CurrRefHeader. Then control is given to step         820.     -   At step 818, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cell CurrRefHeader is on the last record of the range of cells         HVLRange. If it is the case, then control is given to step 820;         otherwise control is given to step 819.     -   At step 819, the local variable CurrRefHeader becomes the cell         just below the former position of the CurrRefHeader cell. Then         control is given to step 816.     -   At step 820, a test is performed to check whether or not the         element CurrLevel of the local list HVLevel has a value greater         than the element HVDisplay of the local list HVLevel. If it is         the case, then control is given to step 821; otherwise control         is given to step 822.     -   At step 821, the method hides along the direction HVDir the cell         CurrHeader.     -   At step 822, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cell CurrHeader is the last header of the range of cells         WorkRange along the HVDir direction. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 824; otherwise control is given to step         823.     -   At step 823, the local variable CurrHeader becomes the header         cell of the range of cells WorkRange following along the         direction HVDir the former position of the local variable         CurrHeader.     -   At step 824, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable HVDir is equal to “Row”. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 825; otherwise the execution of the         ApplyFocus command completes as control is returned back to the         calling method having issued the ApplyFocus command.     -   At step 825, the local variable HVLRange is set equal to the         local variable VLRange, the local variable HVDisplay is set         equal to the local variable VDisplay, the local list HVLevel is         set equal to the local list VLevelList, the local variable HVDir         is set equal to “Column”. Then control is given to step 814.     -   At step 826, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable HVDisplay is equal to “Show All”. If it is the         case, then control is given to step 835; otherwise control is         given to step 827.     -   At step 827, the local variable CurrLevel is set equal to the         top left cell of the range of cells HVLRange.     -   At step 828, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable HVDisplay is equal to the value of the local         variable CurrLevel. If it is the case, then control is given to         step 830; otherwise control is given to step 829.     -   At step 829, the local variable CurrLevel is set equal to the         cell immediately below the former position of the local variable         CurrLevel. Then control is given to step 828.     -   At step 830, the local variable Criteria is set equal to the         value of the right field of the record of the range of cells         HVLRange located immediately below the local variable CurrLevel.         Then the local variable CurrCell is set equal to the cell which         offset along the direction HVDir with respect to the top left         cell of the range of cells WorkRange is equal to the local         variable HVCriteriaOffset.     -   At step 831, a test is performed to check whether or not the         value of the cell CurrCell is greater than the value of the         local variable Criteria. If it is the case, then control is         given to step 833; otherwise control is given to step 832.     -   At step 832, the method hides along the direction HVDir the cell         CurrCell.     -   At step 833, the local variable CurrCell is set to the cell         immediately below the former position of the local variable         CurrCell.     -   At step 834, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cell CurrCell is located within the range of cells WorkRange. If         it is the case, then control is given to step 831; otherwise         control is given to step 835.     -   At step 835, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable HVDir is equal to “Row”. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 836 otherwise the execution of the         ApplyFocus command completes as control is returned back to the         calling method having issued the ApplyFocus command.     -   At step 836, the local variable HVRange is set equal to the         local variable VRange, the local variable HVLRange is set equal         to the local variable VLRange, the local variable HVDisplay is         set equal to the local variable VDisplay, the local list HVLevel         is set equal to the local list VLevelList, the local variable         HVDir is set equal to “Column”, and the local variable         HVCriteriaOffset is set equal to the local variable         VCriteriaOffset. Then control is given to step 826.         E7. Focus Copy Manager Method

The method for copying onto the clipboard the visible part of a FMROC used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 900 of FIG. 9. This method can be seen as the processing of the FocusCopyMgr command.

-   -   At step 901, the range of cells FocusRange is copy-pasted on a         working sheet using conventional copy-paste tools available in         spreadsheet environments.     -   At step 902, the range of cells resulting from the copy-paste         operation performed at step 901 is named as the range of cells         SOURCERANGE.     -   At step 903, the local variable CopyMode is set equal to TRUE.     -   At step 904, the command ApplyFocus is issued to launch the         corresponding method for applying the defined focus levels on         the range of cells SOURCERANGE. When this ApplyFocus command         returns control to the FocusCopyMgr command, control is given to         step 905.     -   At step 905, the local variable CopyMode is set equal to FALSE.     -   At step 906, the local variable WorkRow is set equal to the top         row of the range of cells SOURCERANGE.     -   At step 907, the local variable WorkCell is set equal to the         left most cell of the row WorkRow.     -   At step 908, the content of the cell represented by the local         variable WorkCell is parsed in the left-to-right direction to         identify any reference to a range of cells. Such a reference can         either be the address of a range of cells, or the name of a         named range of cells. Such a referenced range of cells can         either comprise a single individual cell, or a collection of         individual cells.     -   If the right end of the content of the cell represented by the         local variable WorkCell is reached without identify any         reference to a range of cells not yet identified, then control         is given to step 909.     -   If a reference to a range of cells not yet identified is found         while parsing the content of the cell represented by the local         variable WorkCell, then control is given to step 913.

It must be noted that any future parsing operation of the content of the same cell will resume for this step 908 at the position reached during the last parsing operation (to avoid parsing multiple times the same part of the cell content).

-   -   At step 909, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cell represented by the local variable WorkCell is the last cell         (the right most cell) of the row WorkRow. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 911; otherwise control is given to         step 910.     -   At step 910, the cell located immediately on the right of the         cell represented by the local variable WorkCell becomes the new         cell represented by the local variable WorkCell. Then control is         given to step 908.     -   At step 911, a test is performed to check whether or not the row         represented by the local variable WorkRow is the bottom row of         the range of cells SOURCERANGE. If it is the case, then control         is given to step 918; otherwise control is given to step 912.     -   At step 912, the row located immediately below the row         represented by the local variable WorkRow becomes the new row         represented by the local variable WorkRow. Then control is given         to step 907.     -   At step 913, the local variable FoundAdd is set equal to the         range of cells identified through a reference while parsing at         step 908 the content of the cell represented by the local         variable WorkCell.     -   At step 914, a test is performed to determine:     -   if the range of cells FoundAdd comprises at least a hidden cells         belonging to the range of cells SOURCERANGE, or     -   if there is at least a hidden cell in the range of cells which         relative offset within the range of cells SOURCERANGE is equal         to the relative offset of FoundAdd within the range of cells         FocusRange.

In other words, this test determines whether or not the range of cells FoundAdd comprises at least a cell which would not displayed on the display device 106, as a result of the ApplyFocus operation. If it is the case, then control is given to step 915; otherwise control is given to step 908 for continuing the parsing of the cell represented by the local variable WorkCell at the position occupied by the previous parsing operation of step 908.

-   -   At step 915, a test is performed to determine how the range of         cells FoundAdd is referenced in the content of the cell         represented by the local variable WorkCell. If FoundAdd is         referenced as a range of cells identifier in an argument of a         function (for example as a database table identifier in a         database function), then control is given to step 916; otherwise         FoundAdd is referenced as a range of cells identifier as a         formula operand, and control is given to step 917.     -   At step 916, the content of the cell represented by the local         variable WorkCell is updated by replacing by its value the         function which one of the arguments is equal to FoundAdd. As an         example:     -   if the content of the cell represented by the local variable         WorkCell is equal to “@DSUM(SALES; “COMM”;         BROKER=Smith”)*CURRENCY”, and     -   if FoundAdd is equal to the range of cells named SALES, then the         content of the cell represented by the local variable WorkCell         becomes “12300*CURRENCY” if the value of the function         @DSUM(SALES; “COMM”; BROKER=“Smith”) is equal to 12300. Then         control is given to step 908 for continuing the parsing of the         cell represented by the local variable WorkCell at the position         occupied by the previous parsing operation of step 908.     -   At step 917, the content of the cell represented by the local         variable WorkCell is updated by replacing by its value the         operand FoundAdd. As an example:     -   if the content of the cell represented by the local variable         WorkCell is equal to @DSUM(SALES; “COMM”;         BROKER=“Smith”)*CURRENCY” and     -   if FoundAdd is equal to the cell named CURRENCY, then the         content of the cell represented by the local variable WorkCell         becomes “@DSUM(SALES; “COMM”; BROKER=“Smith”)*1.106” if the         value of the cell named CURRENCY is equal to 1.106. Then control         is given to step 908 for continuing the parsing of the cell         represented by the local variable WorkCell at the position         occupied by the previous parsing operation of step 908.     -   At step 918, the local variable CurrDir is set equal to “Row”     -   At step 919, the local variable WorkCell is set equal to the top         left header cell of the range of cells SOURCERANGE.     -   At step 920, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cell WorkCell is hidden. If it is the case, then control is         given to step 922; otherwise control is given to step 921.     -   At step 921, the local variable WorkCell becomes the cell         following, along the direction CurrDir, the previous position of         the cell WorkCell. Then control is given to step 925.     -   At step 922, the local variable WCAddress is set equal to the         address of the cell WorkCell.     -   At step 923, the cell WorkCell is deleted along the direction         CurrDir.     -   At step 924, the local variable WorkCell is set equal to the         cell which address is equal to the local variable WCAddress.     -   At step 925, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cell WorkCell belongs to the range of cells SOURCERANGE. If it         is the case, then control is given to step 920; otherwise         control is given to step 926.     -   At step 926, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable CurrDir is equal to “Row”. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 927 otherwise control is given to         step 928.     -   At step 927, the local variable CurrDir is set equal to         “Column”. Then control is given to step 907.     -   At step 928, the range of cells SOURCERANGE is copied onto the         clipboard. This completes the execution of the FocusCopyMgr         command as control is returned back to the calling method having         issued the FocusCopyMgr command.         E8. Refresh Focus Level List Method

The method for refreshing the focus level list of a FMROC, displayed within the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701 used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 1000 of FIG. 10A. This method can be seen as the processing of the RefreshFocusLevelList command.

-   -   At step 1001, the local list LevelList appearing in the list box         1712 of the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701 is cleared.     -   At step 1002, a test is performed to determine the value of the         local variable Horver. If it is equal to “H”, then control is         given to step 1003; otherwise control is given to step 1004.     -   At step 1003, the label box 1713 of the Focus Level Manager         Dialog Box 1701 is filled with the text “Horizontal Focus         Levels”. Then the local list LevelList is initialized with the         values of the cells belonging to the range of cells HLRange, so         that the list box 1712 displays the horizontal focus levels         recorded in the range of cells HLRange. Then control is given to         step 1005.     -   At step 1004, the local variable Horver is initialized to the         value “V”. Then the label box 1713 of the Focus Level Manager         Dialog Box 1701 is filled with the text “Vertical Focus Levels”.         Then the local list LevelList is initialized with the values of         the cells belonging to the range of cells VLRange, so that the         list box 1712 displays the vertical focus levels recorded in the         range of cells VLRange     -   At step 1005, the first entry of the local list LevelList is         selected, so that it appears in the list box 1712 with dark         background colour. This completes the execution of the         RefreshFocusLevelList command as control is returned back to the         calling method having issued the RefreshFocusLevelList command.         E9. Get Criteria Method

The method for interfacing the spreadsheet user to get the “Horizontal Criteria” column and the “Vertical Criteria” row for a FMROC having a FocusType equal to CONTENT, used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 1010 of FIG. 10B. This method can be seen as the processing of the GetCriteria command.

-   -   At step 1011, the Focus Criteria Manager Dialog Box 1501 is         displayed on the display device 106.     -   At step 1012, the method is in a wait state, waiting for a user         action on the Focus Criteria Manager Dialog Box 1501. Such user         action is typically resulting from a click with the pointing         device 105, but take other similar forms such as, but not         limited to a specific combination of key on the keyboard 104, or         any other similar means not further specified here.     -   At step 1013, an event is detected, as a result of a user         action.     -   If the user action is a click on the “OK” push-button 1503, then         control is given to step 1014.     -   If the user action is a click on the closing-window push-button         1502, then control is given to step 1012.     -   At step 1014, a test is performed to check whether or not the         currently selected cell is located within the range of cells         FocusRange. If it is the case, then control is given to step         1016; otherwise control is given to step 1015.     -   At step 1015, a warning message notification is issued to inform         the user that the currently selected cell must be located within         the currently managed FMROC. This can typically be done by         displaying on the display device 106 a warning message in a         pop-up window, or in a status bar area, but any other similar         means could be used instead, without departing from the spirit         of the invention. Once the user has acknowledged this         notification message through conventional means such as clicking         with the pointing device 105 on an “OK” push-button present         within a warning message pop-up window, or any other similar         means without departing from the spirit of the invention,         control is given to step 1012.     -   At step 1016, the local variable HCriteriaAddress is initialized         with the address of the cell (“Horizontal Criteria”) column         header located above the selected cell within the range of cells         FocusRange. Then the local variable VCriteriaAddress is         initialized with the address of the cell (“Vertical Criteria”)         row header located on the left of the selected cell within the         range of cells FocusRange. Then the field “HCriteria” 1315 of         the FMTRecord 1302 is initialized with the value of the local         variable HCriteriaAddress. Then the field “VCriteria” 1316 of         the FMTRecord 1302 is initialized with the value of the local         variable VCriteriaAddress. Then the local variable         HCriteriaOffset is set equal to the column offset of the         “Horizontal Criteria” column with respect to the range of cells         FocusRange, and the local variable VCriteriaOffset is set equal         to the row offset of the “Vertical Criteria” row with respect to         the range of cells FocusRange.     -   At step 1017, the Focus Criteria Manager Dialog Box 1501 is         closed on the display device 106. This completes the execution         of the GetCriteria command as control is returned back to the         calling method having issued the GetCriteria command.         E10. Focus Level Manager Method

The method for managing focus levels associated with a FMROC used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowchart 1100 of FIG. 11. This method can be seen as the processing of the FocusLevelMgr command.

-   -   At step 1101, some local variables are initialized:     -   The local variable SelectIndex is set equal to the index of the         selected focus level entry in the list box 1712 of the Focus         Level Manager Dialog Box 1701.     -   The local variable SelectText is set equal to the name of the         selected focus level entry in the list box 1712 of the Focus         Level Manager Dialog Box 1701.     -   The local variable ListSize is set equal to the number of focus         levels in the list box 1712 of the Focus Level Manager Dialog         Box 1701.     -   The local variable RenameText is set equal to the content of the         text box 1705 of the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701.     -   The local variable CreateText is set equal to the content of the         text box 1706 of the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701.     -   At step 1102, a test is performed to check whether the value of         the local variable SelectIndex is either equal to 0 (zero) or to         the value of the local variable ListSize. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 1103; otherwise control is given         to step 1104.     -   At step 1103, the push-buttons “Upgrade” 1714, “Downgrade” 1708,         “Delete” 1710 and “Rename” 1709 are disabled so that any future         click on them with the pointing device 105 will not be         recognized as an event. Then control is given to step 1120.     -   At step 1104, the push-button “Delete” 1710 is enabled, so that         any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will be         recognized as an event.     -   At step 1105, a test is performed to check the value of the         local variable Horver. If it is found equal to “H”, then control         is given to step 1106; if it is found equal to “V”, then control         is given to step 1107.     -   At step 1106, the local variable HVRange is set equal to the         local variable HRange. Then control is given to step 1108.     -   At step 1107, the local variable HVRange is set equal to the         local variable VRange.     -   At step 1108, a test is performed to determine whether or not         the local variable SelectText appears in HVRange. If it is the         case, then control is given to step 1109 otherwise control is         given to step 1110.     -   At step 1109, the label box 1704 is filled with the REFERENCED         _(—) CAPTION text taking the value “Level is referenced”. Then         control is given to step 1111.     -   At step 1110, the label box 1704 is filled with the UNREFERENCED         _(—) CAPTION text taking the value “Level is not referenced”.     -   At step 1111, a test is performed to check whether the local         variable RenameText is either void or belonging to HVRange. If         it is the case, then control is given to step 1112; otherwise         control is given to step 1113.     -   At step 1112, the push-button “Rename” 1709 is disabled so that         any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will not be         recognized as an event. Then control is given to step 1114.     -   At step 1113, the push-button “Rename” 1709 is enabled so that         any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will be         recognized as an event.     -   At step 1114, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable SelectIndex is equal to 1 (one). If it is the         case, then control is given to step 1115 otherwise control is         given to step 1116.     -   At step 1115, the push-button “Upgrade” 1714 is disabled so that         any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will not be         recognized as an event. Then control is given to step 1117.     -   At step 1116, the push-button “Upgrade” 1714 is enabled so that         any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will be         recognized as an event.     -   At step 1117, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable SelectIndex is equal to the value of the local         variable ListSize decremented by 1 (one). If it is the case,         then control is given to step 1118; otherwise control is given         to step 1119.     -   At step 1118, the push-button “Downgrade” 1708 is disabled so         that any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will         not be recognized as an event. Then control is given to step         1120.     -   At step 1119, the push-button “Downgrade” 1708 is enabled so         that any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will be         recognized as an event.     -   At step 1120, a test is performed to check:     -   if the local variable CreateText is either void or belonging to         HVRange, or     -   if the local variable SelectIndex is equal to 0 (zero).

If one or both of the above conditions are met, then control is given to step 1121; otherwise control is given to step 1122.

-   -   At step 1121, the push-button “Create New” 1707 is disabled so         that any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will         not be recognized as an event. Then control is given to step         1123.     -   At step 1122, the push-button “Create New” 1707 is enabled so         that any future click on it with the pointing device 105 will be         recognized as an event.     -   At step 1123, the method is in a wait state, waiting for a user         action on the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701. Such user         action is typically resulting from a click with the pointing         device 105, but take other similar forms such as, but not         limited to a specific combination of key on the keyboard 104, or         any other similar means not further specified here.     -   At step 1124, an event is detected, as a result of a user         action.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Horiz./Vert.” push-button         1715, then control is given to step 1125.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Upgrade” push-button 1714,         then control is given to step 1126.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Downgrade” push-button         1708, then control is given to step 1127.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Rename” push-button 1709,         then control is given to step 1128.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Create New” push-button         1707, then control is given to step 1129.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Delete” push-button 1710,         then control is given to step 1130.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Done/Quit” push-button         1703, or on the closing-window push-button 1702, then control is         given to step 1131.     -   For all the other possible user actions like for instance the         selection of a focus level in the list box 1712, control is         given to step 1101.     -   At step 1125, the local variable Horver swaps between the value         “H” and the value “V”. Then control is given to step 1101.     -   At step 1126, the entry of HVRange which index is equal to the         local variable SelectIndex, is swapped with the previous entry         of HVRange, and the local variable SelectIndex is decremented by         1 (one). Then control is given to step 1132.     -   At step 1127, the entry of HVRange which index is equal to the         local variable SelectIndex is swapped with the following entry         of HVRange, and the local variable SelectIndex is incremented by         1 (one). Then control is given to step 1132.     -   At step 1128, the entry of HVRange which index is equal to the         local variable SelectIndex is renamed with the name equal to the         local variable RenameText. Then control is given to step 1132.     -   At step 1129, a new entry is created in HVRange, with an index         equal to the local variable SelectIndex and a name equal to the         local variable CreateText. Then control is given to step 1132.     -   At step 1130, the entry of HVRange which index is equal to the         local variable SelectIndex is deleted. Then control is given to         step 1132.     -   At step 1131, the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701 is closed         on the display device 106. This completes the execution of the         FocusLevelMgr command as control is returned back to the calling         method having issued the FocusLevelMgr command.     -   At step 1132, the command FocusHouseKeeping is issued to launch         the corresponding Focus House Keeping method. When this         FocusHouseKeeping command returns control to the FocusLevelMgr         command, control is given to step 1133.     -   At step 1133, the command BuildLevelList is issued to launch the         corresponding method building the focus level lists. When this         BuildLevelList command returns control to the FocusLevelMgr         command, control is given to step 1134.     -   At step 1134, the command RefreshFocusLevelList is issued to         launch the corresponding method for refreshing the focus level         lists of the currently managed FMROC. When this         RefreshFocusLevelList command returns control to the         FocusLevelMgr command, control is given to step 1135.     -   At step 1135, the focus level which index is equal to the value         of the local variable SelectIndex is selected in the list box         1712, so that it is displayed with a dark background colour.         Then control is given to step 1101.         E11. Focus Setting Manager Method

The method for managing the focus level settings associated with a FMROC used in the embodiment of the present invention is summarized in flowcharts 1200 (1/2) of FIGS. 12A and 1200 (2/2) of FIG. 12B. This method can be seen as the processing of the FocusSettingMgr command.

-   -   At step 1201, the Focus Setting Manager Dialog Box 1801 is         displayed on the display device 106.     -   At step 1202, several tests are performed on the local variable         HOffset to determine whether the push-buttons “Up” 1811 and         “Down” 1810 have to be either enabled or disabled.     -   If the local variable HOffset is found equal to 0 (zero), then         the push-button “Up” 1811 is disabled, so that any future click         on it with the pointing device 105 will not be treated as a         valid event.     -   If the local variable HOffset is found different from 0 (zero),         then the pushbutton “Up” 1811 is enabled, so that any future         click on it with the pointing device 105 will be treated as a         valid event.     -   If the local HOffset is found equal to the number of rows in the         range of cells FocusRange, then the push-button “Down” 1810 is         disabled, so that any future click on it with the pointing         device 105 will not be treated as a valid event.     -   If the local variable HOffset is found different from the number         of rows in the range of cells FocusRange, then the push-button         “Down” 1810 is enabled, so that any future click on it with the         pointing device 105 will be treated as a valid event.     -   At step 1203, several tests are performed on the local variable         VOffset to determine whether the push-buttons “Right” 1807 and         “Left” 1809 have to be either enabled or disabled.     -   If the local variable VOffset is found equal to 0 (zero), then         the push-button “Left” 1809 is disabled, so that any future         click on it with the pointing device 105 will not be treated as         a valid event.     -   If the local variable VOffset is found different from 0 (zero),         then the pushbutton “Left” 1809 is enabled, so that any future         click on it with the pointing device 105 will be treated as a         valid event.     -   If the local VOffset is found equal to the number of columns in         the range of cells FocusRange, then the push-button “Right” 1807         is disabled, so that any future click on it with the pointing         device 105 will not be treated as a valid event.     -   If the local variable VOffset is found different from the number         of columns in the range of cells FocusRange, then the         push-button “Right” 1807 is enabled, so that any future click on         it with the pointing device 105 will be treated as a valid         event.     -   At step 1204, the horizontal and vertical level lists,         respectively displayed in the list boxes 1814 and 1805 are         cleared, so that these list boxes display an empty content on         the display device 106.     -   At step 1205, the list box 1814 of the Focus Setting Manager         Dialog Box 1801 is filled with the horizontal levels defined         within the range of cells HLRange 1320 as the ordered set of         “HLevel” fields 1322 within the records 1321. Then the list box         1805 of the Focus Setting Manager Dialog Box 1801 is filled with         the vertical levels defined within the range of cells VLRange         1330 as the ordered set of “VLevel” fields 1332 within the         records 1331.     -   At step 1206, the “Offset” label box 1816 is filled with the         value of the local variable HOffset, and the “Offset” label box         1803 is filled with the value of the local variable VOffset.         Then the “Content” label box 1815 is filled with the content of         the header cell which horizontal offset with respect to the top         left cell of the range of cells FocusRange is equal to the value         of the local variable HOffset, and the “Content” label box 1804         is filled with the content of the header cell which vertical         offset with respect to the top left cell of the range of cells         FocusRange is equal to the value of the local variable VOffset.     -   At step 1207, several local variables are initialized:     -   The local variable H@ is set equal to a character string         pointing to the address of the header cell which horizontal         offset with respect to the top left cell of the range of cells         FocusRange is equal to the value of the local variable HOffset.     -   The local variable V@ is set equal to a character string         pointing to the address of the header cell which vertical offset         with respect to the top left cell of the range of cells         FocusRange is equal to the value of the local variable VOffset.         -   The local variable HHeader is set equal to the cell pointed             by the local variable H@.         -   The local variable VHeader is set equal to the cell pointed             by the local variable V@.     -   The local variable HCriteria is set equal to the value of the         cell located at the intersection of the row which offset with         respect to the top row of the range of cells FocusRange is equal         to the local variable HOffset, and of the “Horizontal Criteria”         column which offset with respect to the leftmost column of the         range of cells FocusRange is equal to the local variable         HCriteriaOffset.     -   The local variable VCriteria is set equal to the value of the         cell located at the intersection of the column which offset with         respect to the leftmost column of the range of cells FocusRange         is equal to the local variable VOffset, and of the “Vertical         Criteria” row which offset with respect to the top row of the         range of cells FocusRange is equal to the local variable         VCriteriaOffset.     -   The local variable Level is initialized with the value “always”.     -   The local variable CurrDir is initialized with the value “Rows”.

Then the local variable HVLRange is set equal to the local variable HLRange, the local variable HVRange is set equal to the local variable HRange, the local variable Header is set equal to the local variable HHeader, the local variable HV@ is set equal to the local variable H@, the local list LevelList is set equal to the local list HLevelList, the local variable LevelNbr is set equal to the local variable HLevelNbr, and the local variable HVCriteria is set equal to the local variable HCriteria.

-   -   At step 1208, the local variable CurrRec is set as being the top         record of the range of cells HVRange.     -   At step 1209, a test is performed to check whether or not the         left field of the record CurrRec is equal to the local variable         HV@. If it is the case, then control is given to step 1210;         otherwise control is given to step 1211.     -   At step 1210, a local variable LevelCell is initialized as being         the right field of the record CurrRec, and the local variable         Level is set equal to the content of the right field of the         record CurrRec. Then control is given to step 1227.     -   At step 1211, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable CurrRec is the last record of the range of cells         HVRange. If it is the case, then control is given to step 1213;         otherwise control is given to step 1212.     -   At step 1212, the record following CurrRec in the range of cells         HVRange becomes the new record CurrRec. Then control is given to         step 1209.     -   At step 1213, a new record is created within the range of cells         HVRange, with the left field set equal to the value of the local         variable HV@, and with the right field set equal to the value of         the local variable Level. Then the local variable LevelCell is         initialized as being the right field of this new record.     -   At step 1214, a test is performed to determine the value of the         local variable FocusType. If found equal to ADDRESS, then         control is given to step 1226; if found equal to ATTRIBUTE, then         control is given to step 1215, if found equal to CONTENT, then         control is given to step 1220.     -   At step 1215, the local variable WorkCell is set as being the         top left cell of the range of cells HVLRange.     -   At step 1216, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cells Header and Workcell share the same display attributes. In         an embodiment of the present invention, these display attributes         correspond to     -   the background colour,     -   the background pattern,     -   the font size,     -   the font name,     -   the font colour,     -   the font bold attribute,     -   the font underline attribute,     -   the font italic attribute,     -   the text horizontal alignment,     -   the text vertical alignment,     -   the text orientation,     -   the text rotation and     -   the text wrapped attribute,         but any other similar display attributes could be used instead         without departing from the spirit of the present invention. If         it is the case, then control is given to step 1217 otherwise         control is given to step 1218.     -   At step 1217, the content of the cell represented by the local         variable LevelCell is set equal to the content of the cell         represented by the local variable WorkCell. Then control is         given to step 1226.     -   At step 1218, a test is performed to check whether or not the         cell represented by the local variable WorkCell belongs to the         last record of the range of cells HVLRange. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 1226; otherwise control is given         to step 1219.     -   At step 1219, the cell located immediately below the cell         represented by the local variable WorkCell becomes the new         WorkCell cell. Then control is given to step 1216.     -   At step 1220, the local variable WorkRec is initialized as being         the top record of the range of cells HVLRange.     -   At step 1221, a test is performed to check whether or not the         right field of the record WorkRec is void (that is an empty         cell). If it is the case, then control is given to step 1224;         otherwise control is given to step 1222.     -   At step 1222, a test is performed to check whether or not the         value of the local variable Criteria is less than the value of         the right field of the record WorkRec. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 1223; otherwise control is given to         step 1226.     -   At step 1223, the content of the cell represented by the local         variable LevelCell is set equal to the value of the left field         of the record WorkRec and the local variable Level is set equal         to the value of the left field of the record WorkRec.     -   At step 1224, a test is performed to check whether or not the         record WorkRec is the last record of the range of cells         HVLRange. If it is the case, then control is given to step 1226;         otherwise control is given to, step 1225.     -   At step 1225, the record following the record WorkRec in the         range of cells HVLRange becomes the new record WorkRec. Then         control is given to step 1221.     -   At step 1226, the local variable LevelNbr is incremented by 1         (one) to reflect that a new level setting has been created.     -   At step 1227, the entry of the local list LevelList which value         is equal to the local variable Level is selected, so that it         appears with a dark background colour in the Focus Setting         Manager Dialog Box 1801.     -   At step 1228, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable CurrDir is equal to “Rows”. If it is the case,         then control is given to step 1229 otherwise control is given to         step 1230.     -   At step 1229, the local variable HVLRange is set equal to the         local variable VLRange, the local variable Level is initialized         with the value “always”, the local variable HVRange is set equal         to the local variable VRange, the local variable Header is set         equal to the local variable VHeader, the local variable HV@ is         set equal to the local variable V@, the local variable CurrDir         is initialized with the value “Columns”, the local list         LevelList is set equal to the local list VLevelList, the local         variable LevelNbr is set equal to the local variable VLevelNbr,         the local variable HLevelCell is set equal to the local variable         LevelCell, and the local variable HVCriteria is set equal to the         local variable VCriteria. Then control is given to step 1208.     -   At step 1230, the local variable VLevelCell is set equal to the         local variable LevelCell.     -   At step 1231, the method is in a wait state, waiting for a user         action on the Focus Setting Manager Dialog Box 1801. Such user         action is typically resulting from a click with the pointing         device 105, but take other similar forms such as, but not         limited to a specific combination of key on the keyboard 104, or         any other similar means not further specified here.     -   At step 1232, an event is detected, as a result of a user         action.     -   If the user action is a selection with the pointing device 105         within the list box 1805 of a vertical level, then control is         given to step 1244.     -   If the user action is a selection with the pointing device 105         within the list box 1814 of an horizontal level, then control is         given to step 1241.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Right” push-button 1807,         then control is given to step 1240.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Left” push-button 1809,         then control is given to step 1239.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Down” push-button 1810,         then control is given to step 1238.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Up” push-button 1811, then         control is given to step 1237.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Focus Level Definition         Manager” push-button 1812, then control is given to step 1234.     -   If the user action is a click on the “Done/Quit” push-button         1808, or on the closing-window push-button 1802, then control is         given to step 1233.     -   At step 1233, the Focus Setting Manager Dialog Box 1801 is         closed on the display device 106. This completes the execution         of the FocusSettingMgr command as control is returned back to         the calling method having issued the FocusSettingMgr command.     -   At step 1234, the Focus Level Manager Dialog Box 1701 is         displayed on the display device 106.     -   At step 1235, the command RefreshFocusLevelList is issued to         launch the corresponding method for refreshing the focus level         lists of the currently managed FMROC. When this         RefreshFocusLevelList command returns control to the         FocusSettingMgr command, control is given to step 1236.     -   At step 1236, the command FocusLevelMgr is issued to launch the         corresponding method for managing the focus levels of the         currently managed FMROC. When this FocusLevelMgr command returns         control to the FocusSettingMgr command, control is given to step         1231.     -   At step 1237, the local variable HOffset is decremented by 1         (one). Then control is given to step 1202.     -   At step 1238, the local variable HOffset is incremented by 1         (one). Then control is given to step 1202.     -   At step 1239, the local variable VOffset is decremented by 1         (one). Then control is given to step 1202.     -   At step 1240, the local variable VOffset is incremented by 1         (one). Then control is given to step 1202.     -   At step 1241, the content of the cell represented by he local         variable HLevelCell is set equal to the horizontal level         selected within the list box 1814.     -   At step 1242, some local variables are initialized:     -   The local variable OldLevel is initialized with the content of         the cell HLevelCell.     -   The local variable NewLevel is initialized as being the content         of the cell HLevelCell. It is therefore the horizontal level         which has been selected at the step 1232.     -   The local variable Criteria is set equal to the local variable         HCriteria.     -   The local variable HVLRange is set equal to the local variable         HLRange.     -   The local variable HVRange is set equal to the local variable         HRange.     -   The local variable CriteriaOffset is set equal to the local         variable HCriteria Offset.     -   At step 1243, a test is performed to determine the value of the         local variable FocusType. If found equal to ADDRESS, then         control is given to step 1202; if found equal to ATTRIBUTE, then         control is given to step 1247; if found equal to CONTENT, then         control is given to step 1249.     -   At step 1244, the content of the cell represented by he local         variable VLevelCell is set equal to the vertical level selected         within the list box 1805.     -   At step 1245, some local variables are initialized:     -   The local variable OldLevel is initialized with the content of         the cell VLevelCell.     -   The local variable NewLevel is initialized as being the content         of the cell VLevelCell. It is therefore the vertical level which         has been selected at the step 1232.     -   The local variable Criteria is set equal to the local variable         VCriteria.     -   The local variable HVLRange is set equal to the local variable         VLRange.     -   The local variable HVRange is set equal to the local variable         VRange.     -   The local variable CriteriaOffset is set equal to the local         variable VCriteriaOffset.     -   At step 1246, a test is performed to determine the value of the         local variable FocusType. If found equal to ADDRESS, then         control is given to step 1202; if found equal to ATTRIBUTE, then         control is given to step 1248; if found equal to CONTENT, then         control is given to step 1249.     -   At step 1247, the HHeader cell is copy-pasted by display         attribute onto the record 1321 of the HLRange table 1320 which         “HLevel” field 1322 is equal to the selected horizontal level         NewLevel. Then control is given to step 1202.     -   At step 1248, the VHeader cell is copy-pasted by display         attribute onto the record 1331 of the VLRange table 1330 which         “VLevel” field 1332 is equal to the selected vertical level         NewLevel. Then control is given to step 1202.     -   At step 1249, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable OldLevel is equal to the local variable NewLevel.         If it is the case, then control is given to step 1202; otherwise         control is given to step 1250.     -   At step 1250, a test is performed to check whether or not the         focus level represented by the local variable OldLevel is         located above the focus level represented by the local variable         NewLevel in the HVLRange table (meaning that OldLevel has a         higher display priority than NewLevel). If it is the case, then         control is given to step 1251; otherwise control is given to         step 1256.     -   At step 1251, the local variable CurrRec is set equal to the         HVLRange record which left field is equal to the value of the         local variable NewLevel. Then the right field of the record         CurrRec is set equal to the value of the local variable         HVCriteria.     -   At step 1252, a test is performed to check whether or not the         value of the left field of the record CurrRec is equal to the         value of the local variable OldLevel. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 1202; otherwise control is given to         step 1253.     -   At step 1253, the record located above the record CurrRec in the         range of cells HVLRange becomes the new record CurrRec.     -   At step 1254, a test is performed to check whether or not the         right field of the record CurrRec is not void and less than or         equal to the value of the local variable HVCriteria. If it is         the case, then control is given to step 1255; otherwise control         is given to step 1252.     -   At step 1255, the right field of the record CurrRec is cleared         so that it becomes void. Then control is given to step 1252.     -   At step 1256, the local variable CurrRec is set equal to the         HVLRange record which left field is equal to the value of the         local variable OldLevel. Then the local variable WorkRec is set         equal to the top record of the range of cells HVRange, and the         local variable Found is initialized to the value FALSE.     -   At step 1257, a test is performed to check whether or not the         right field of the record WorkRec is equal to the local variable         OldLevel. If it is the case, then control is given to step 1259;         otherwise control is given to step 1258.     -   At step 1258, a test is performed to check whether or not the         record WorkRec is the last record of the range of cells HVRange.         If it is the case, then control is given to step 1265; otherwise         control is given to step 1264.     -   At step 1259, the local variable CurrValue is set equal to the         value of the cell which is located along the direction HVDir at         an offset equal to the value of the local variable         HVCriteriaOffset with respect to the cell which address is         pointed by the left field of the record WorkRec.     -   At step 1260, a test is performed to check whether or not the         value of the local variable CurrValue is less than the value of         the local variable HVCriteria. If it is the case, then control         is given to step 1261; otherwise control is given to step 1258.     -   At step 1261, a test is performed to check whether or not the         value of the local variable Found is equal to TRUE. If it is the         case, then control is given to step 1262; otherwise control is         given to step 1263.     -   At step 1262, a test is performed to check whether or not the         value of the local variable CurrValue is greater than the value         of the local variable NewMax. If it is the case, then control is         given to-step 1263; otherwise control is given to step 1258.     -   At step 1263, the local variable Found is set equal to TRUE, and         the local variable NewMax is set equal to the value of the local         variable CurrValue. Then control is given to step 1258.     -   At step 1264, the record following WorkRec in the range of cells         HVRange becomes the new record WorkRec. Then control is given to         step 1257.     -   At step 1265, a test is performed to check whether or not the         local variable Found is equal to TRUE. If it is the case, then         control is given to step 1266; otherwise control is given to         step 1267.     -   At step 1266, the right field of the CurrRec record is set equal         to the value of the local variable NewMax. Then control is given         to step 1268.     -   At step 1267, the right field of the CurrRec record is cleared,         so that its content becomes void.     -   At step 1268, the record of the HVLRange table located above the         record CurrRec becomes the new CurrRec record.     -   At step 1269, a test is performed to check whether or not the         left field of the record CurrRec is equal to the local variable         NewLevel. If it is the case, then control is given to step 1202;         otherwise control is given to step 1270.     -   At step 1270, a test is performed to check whether or not the         right field of the record CurrRec is not void and greater than         or equal to the value of the local variable HVCriteria. If it is         the case, then control is given to step 1271; otherwise control         is given to step 1269.     -   At step 1271, the right field of the record CurrRec is cleared         so that it becomes void. Then control is given to step 1269.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

The methods and systems according to the present invention may be used advantageously in those environments where elements of information are organized as multidimensional tables having more than two or three dimensions.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment, it will be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit, and scope of the invention. 

1. In an electronic multidimensional spreadsheet comprising a plurality of cells identified by a cell address along each dimension of the spreadsheet, a method for displaying and/or hiding on a user interface, elements of a range of cells, the range of cells comprising one or a plurality of contiguous elements aligned along a given spreadsheet dimension, an element comprising one or a plurality of cells, the method comprising: (A) detecting a command for hiding at least one element in a selected range of cells, the command identifying the selected range of cells and identifying a display focus level selected among a plurality of ordered display focus levels defined for the selected range of cells; (B) identifying the selected range of cells comprising the element; (C) identifying the selected display focus level; (D) identifying a focus manager table, a horizontal level range table, a vertical level range table, a horizontal range table, and a vertical range table, the identified tables associated with the selected range of cells and associating a defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute; and (E) selectively displaying the element on the user interface based on a relationship of the selected display focus level with the display focus level associated with the element.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein for each element of the selected range of cells (E) comprises: (E1) selecting a predefined cell in the element; (E2) identifying the cell attributes assigned to the selected predefined cell; (E3) identifying the display focus level associated with the identified cell attribute; (E4 ) associating the identified display focus level with the element; and (E5) comparing the display focus level associated with the element with the selected display focus level.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein (E) further comprises: (E1) hiding the element on the user interface, if the associated display focus level is lower than the selected display focus level.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein (E) further comprises: (E1) displaying the element on the user interface, if the associated display focus level is at least equal to the selected display focus level.
 5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: (F) defining a plurality of display focus levels and ordering the display focus levels; and (G) defining at least one range of cells.
 6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising: (H) for each defined range of cells: (i) defining elements in the range of cells; (ii) defining a table and associating the range of cells with the table; (iii) associating, in the table, each defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute for each cell.
 7. The method according to claim 1 wherein an element of a range of cells comprises one of a row, column and sheet.
 8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cell attribute for each cell of an element comprises a display characteristic selected from the group consisting of background colour, a background pattern, a font size, font name, font colour, font bold attribute, font underline attribute, font italic attribute, text horizontal alignment, text vertical alignment, text orientation, and text wrapped attribute.
 9. A computer program product for use with a computer system capable of displaying an electronic multidimensional spreadsheet with a user interface, the computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having embodied therein program code comprising: (A) program code for detecting a command for hiding at least one element in a selected range of cells, the command identifying the selected range of cells and identifying a display focus level selected among a plurality of ordered display focus levels defined for the selected range of cells; (B) program code for identifying the selected range of cells comprising the element; (C) program code for identifying the selected display focus level; (D) program code for identifying a focus manager table, a horizontal level range table, a vertical level range table, a horizontal range table, and a vertical range table, the identified tables associated with the selected range of cells, and associating a defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute; and (E) program code for selectively displaying the element on the user interface based on a relationship of the selected display focus level with the display focus level associated with the element.
 10. The computer program product according to claim 9 wherein for each element of the selected range of cells (E) comprises: (E1) program code for selecting a predefined cell in the element; (E2) program code for identifying the cell attributes assigned to the selected predefined cell; (E3) program code for identifying the display focus level associated with the identified cell attribute; (E4) program code for associating the identified display focus level with the element; and (E5) program code for comparing the display focus level associated with the element with the selected display focus level.
 11. The computer program product according to claim 10 wherein (E) further comprises: (E6) program code for hiding the element on the user interface, if the associated display focus level is lower than the selected display focus level.
 12. The computer program product according to claim 10 wherein (E) further comprises: (E6) program code for displaying the element on the user interface, if the associated display focus level is at least equal to the selected display focus level.
 13. The computer program product according to claim 9 further comprising: (F) program code for defining a plurality of display focus levels and ordering the display focus levels; and (G) program code for defining at least one range of cells.
 14. The computer program product according to claim 13 further comprising: (H) for each defined range of cells, program code for: (i) defining elements in the range of cells; (ii) defining a table and associating the range of cells with the table; (iii) associating, in the table, each defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute for each cell.
 15. The computer program product according to claim 9 wherein an element of a range of cells comprises one of a row, column and sheet.
 16. The computer program product according to claim 9 wherein the cell attribute for each cell of an element comprises a display characteristic selected from the group consisting of background colour, a background pattern, a font size, font name, font colour, font bold attribute, font underline attribute, font italic attribute, text horizontal alignment, text vertical alignment, text orientation, and text wrapped attribute.
 17. An apparatus including a memory for use with a computer system capable of displaying an electronic multidimensional spreadsheet on a user interface, the apparatus comprising: A) program logic for detecting a command for hiding at least one element in a selected range of cells, the command identifying the selected range of cells and identifying a display focus level selected among a plurality of ordered display focus levels defined for the selected range of cells; (B) program logic for identifying the selected range of cells comprising the element; (C) program logic for identifying the selected display focus level; (D) program logic for identifying a focus manager table, a horizontal level range manager table a horizontal level range table, a vertical range table, and a vertical range table, the identified table tables associated with the selected range of cells and associating a defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute; and (E) program logic for selectively displaying the element on the user interface based on a relationship of the selected display focus level with the display focus level associated with the element.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein for each element of the selected range of cells (E) comprises: (E1) program logic for selecting a predefined cell in the element; (E2) program logic for identifying the cell attributes assigned to the selected predefined cell; (E3) program logic for identifying the display focus level associated with the identified cell attribute; (E4) program logic for associating the identified display focus level with the element; and (E5) program logic for comparing the display focus level associated with the element with the selected display focus level.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein (E) further comprises: (E6) program logic for hiding the element on the user interface, if the associated display focus level is lower than the selected display focus level.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein (E) further comprises: (E6) program logic for displaying the element on the user interface, if the associated display focus level is at least equal to the selected display focus level.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising: (F) program logic for defining a plurality of display focus levels and ordering the display focus levels; and (G) program logic for defining at least one range of cells.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising: (H) for each defined range of cells, program logic for: (i) defining elements in the range of cells; (ii) defining a table and associating the range of cells with the table; (iii) associating, in the table, each defined display focus level with at least one cell attribute for each cell.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein an element of a range of cells comprises one of a row, column and sheet.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the cell attribute for each cell of an element comprises a display characteristic selected from the group consisting of background colour, a background pattern, a font size, font name, font colour, font bold attribute, font underline attribute, font italic attribute, text horizontal alignment, text vertical alignment, text orientation, and text wrapped attribute. 